MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

8:00 AM

Senate Chamber

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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 Health & Human Services was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair	None
Senator Charles Perry, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Molly Cook
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Hall

Senator Perry

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Sparks moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Sparks moved that SB 25 do not pass but that CSSB 25 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Perry and Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 25.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 314 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall moved that SB 314 do not pass but that CSSB 314 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Perry submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 314. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 314 with amendments.

The chair laid out SB 916 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 916 (See attached list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 916 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1122 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1122 (See attached list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1122 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 961 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 961 (See attached list).

Senator Perry moved that SB 961 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 502 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 502 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 670 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 670 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 513 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 502 (See attached list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 513 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 731 and SB 732 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, to explain the bills.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 731 and SB 732 (See attached list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 731 and SB 732 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:35 AM Senator Kolkhorst moved that the Committee stand recessed until 9:50 AM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:00 AM Senator Kolkhorst reconvened the meeting.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bills: SB 731, SB 732. Public testimony was heard on the bills. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 731 and SB 732 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes assumed the chair.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bill: SB 961. Public testimony was heard on the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 961 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bill: SB 502. Public testimony was heard on the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 502 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bill: SB 670. Public testimony was heard on the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

There being no further business, at 10:36 AM Senator Kolkhorst moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:50 PM Senator Kolkhorst reconvened the meeting.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bill: SB 513. Public testimony was heard on the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 513 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bill: SB 916. Public testimony was heard on the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 916 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bill: SB 1122. Public testimony was heard on the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1122 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:41 PM Senator Kolkhorst moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair

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Sally Buck, Clerk