MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Wednesday, March 26, 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 26, 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 Perry

Senator Hall

Senator Hughes

Senator Miles

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 493. Senator Kolkhorst 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 493 do not pass but that CSSB 493 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye. Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 660. Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Blanco moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that CSSB 660 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 660. Senator Blanco moved that SB 660 do not pass but that CSSB 660 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 0 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1822. Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Johnson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Blanco moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that SB 1822 do not pass but that CSSB 1822 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, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1122. Senator Perry moved that SB 1122 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown present not voting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 619. Senator Perry moved that SB 619 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 921. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 921 do not pass but that CSSB 921 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 922. Senator Perry moved that SB 922 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye. Senator Perry 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 1332. Senator Perry moved that SB 1332 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown present not voting. Senator Perry 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 963. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 963 do not pass but that CSSB 963 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 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye. Senator Perry 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 1098. Senator Perry moved that SB 1098 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye. Senator Perry 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 1307. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Cook to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1307 do not pass but that CSSB 1307 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 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye. Senator Perry 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 984. Senator Perry moved that SB 984 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye. Senator Perry 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 1084. Senator Perry moved that SB 1084 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1195 and SB 1196 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bills.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1195 and SB 1196 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1195 and SB 1196 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 596 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 596 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 596 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2034 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered to testify on the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 2034 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1318 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1318 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1318 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1677 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that the committee substitute be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1677 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 481 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Alvarado to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 481 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 481 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1524 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1524 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1792 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1792 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1257 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

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

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on CSSB 1257 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that CSSB 1257 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 760 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 760 (See attached witness list).

Senator Perry moved that SB 760 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:44 AM Senator Kolkhorst moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:38 PM Senator Kolkhorst reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 1233 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1233 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1589 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1589 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1388 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock 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 Hancock moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that SB CS1388 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1398 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that SB 1398 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1368 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1368 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1558 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

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

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that CSSB 1558 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 397 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 397 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 855 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 855 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 481.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 481 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 596.

No public witnesses to testify on the bill.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 596 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1195 and SB 1196.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1195 and SB 1196 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 1257.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that CSSB 1257 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1318.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1318 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 760.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that SB 760 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 9:47 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