MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Friday, May 23, 2025

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 Business & Commerce was held on Friday, May 23, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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Senator Phil King, the Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:03 AM. The following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Charles Schwertner

Senator César Blanco

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Judith Zaffirini

The Chair laid out HB 3005 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Campbell, 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.

The Chair  moved that HB 3005 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 5093 and recognized Senator Campbell, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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. The Chair  moved that HB 5093 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2037 and recognized Senator Campbell, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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. The Chair moved that HB 2037 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4214 and recognized Senator Campbell, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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. The Chair  moved that HB 4214 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 5435 and recognized Senator Campbell, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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. The Chair  moved that HB 5435 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4211 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that HB 4211 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 111 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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. The Chair moved that HB 111 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3520 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hagenbuch, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that HB 3520 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 491 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hall, 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. The Chair moved that HB 491 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2488 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Alvarado, 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. The Chair moved that HB 2488 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 5129 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill. No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that HB 5129 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1094 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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. The Chair moved that HB 1094 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4350 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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. The Chair moved that HB 4350 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4559 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that HB 4559 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4748 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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. The Chair moved that HB 4748 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4765 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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. The Chair moved that HB 4765 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4134 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Menéndez, 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. The Chair moved that HB 4134 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

A quorum was established at 8:59 AM.

The Chair laid out HB 1043 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nathan Johnson, 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. The Chair moved that HB 1043 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3320 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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. The Chair moved that HB 3320 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4233 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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. The Chair moved that HB 4233 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3923 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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. The Chair moved that HB 3923 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4518 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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. The Chair moved that HB 4518 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1803 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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. The Chair moved that HB 1803 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3848 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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. The Chair moved that HB 3848 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1731 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Paxton, 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. The Chair moved that HB 1731 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3778 and recognized Senator Menéndez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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. The Chair moved that HB 3778 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 3092 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, 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. The Chair moved that HB 3092 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 145. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that HB 145 do not pass but that CSHB 145 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 144. Senator Nichols moved that HB 144 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, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:16 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

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Daniela Velez-Blanc, Clerk