MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

7:15 PM or upon adjournment

Senator Hughes's Desk

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Senator Hughes's Desk.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	Senator Charles Perry
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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Upon the adoption of the suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, Senator Hughes called the meeting to order at 7:17 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1183 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1183 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 506 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 506 do not pass but that CSSB 506 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2742 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hagenbuch to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2742 do not pass but that CSSB 2742 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1540 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1540 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2225 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock. Senator Hall moved that SB 2225 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2284 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam. Senator Parker moved that SB 2284 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2595 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Parker moved that SB 2595 do not pass but that CSSB 2595 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2753 and recognized the author, Senator Hall. Senator Hall moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hall moved that SB 2753 do not pass but that CSSB 2753 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 3031 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 3031 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

At 7:28 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2217 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hughes moved that SB 2217 do not pass but that CSSB 2217 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2514 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hughes moved that SB 2514 do not pass but that CSSB 2514 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2876 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2876 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2877 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2877 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 7:33 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 7:34 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

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Victoria Ross, Clerk