MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Monday, April 28, 2025
10:00 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 Local Government was held on Monday, April 28, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Mayes Middleton, Vice Chair |
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Senator Molly Cook |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Robert Nichols |
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Senator Angela Paxton |
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Senator Royce West |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair laid out SB 845 and recognized the author, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 845 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2675 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, J , to explain the bill.
Senator West sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa, J to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2675 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 22 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, A, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 22 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 375 and recognized the Sponsor, Senator Miles, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 375 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 536 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 536 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2081 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2081 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1957 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1957 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2299 and recognized the author, Senator 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2299 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2452 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock , to explain the bill.
Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2452 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 250 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 250 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 11:00 AM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 to 30
minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:22 PM Senator Bettencourt reconvened the meeting.
The chair laid out SB 1633 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1633 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SJR 60 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SJR 60 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2137 and recognized the author, Senator Menendez, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2137 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1944 and recognized the author, Senator Eckhardt , to explain the bill.
Senator West sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Eckhardt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1944 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2549 and recognized the author, Senator West , to explain the bill.
Senator Cook sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2549 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1965.
Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator King 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 West moved that SB 1965 do not pass but that CSSB 1965 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Middleton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2605 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2605 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2594 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2594 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 628.
Senator Cook moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so
Ordered.
Senator Cook moved that SB 628 do not pass but that CSSB 628 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator West 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 777.
Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so
Ordered.
Senator Middleton moved that SB 777 do not pass but that CSSB 777 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Middleton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:12 PM the Chair recognized Senator Nichols as voting aye on CSSB 1965.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2367.
Senator Paxton moved that SB 2367 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, 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 2608.
Senator West moved that SB 2608 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2703.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 2703 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Nichols 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 2778.
Senator Middleton moved that SB 2778 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Middleton 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 2835.
Senator West moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so
Ordered.
Senator West moved that SB 2835 do not pass but that CSSB 2835 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Cook 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 2965.
Senator Paxton moved that SB 2965 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, 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 3044.
Senator Cook moved that SB 3044 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:17 PM Senator Middleton assumes the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2477.
Senator Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so
Ordered.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 2477 do not pass but that CSSB 2477 be reported back to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record
vote of 5 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2521.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 2521 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator West 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 2523.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 2523 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
At 6:20 PM Senator Bettencourt resumes the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2594.
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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2594 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2419 and recognized the author, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2419 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2525 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Paxton , to explain the bill.
Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Paxton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2525 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2262 and recognized the author, Senator Cook , to explain the bill.
Senator West sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Cook to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2262 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 3029 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the author, to
explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 3029 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2631 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to
explain the bill.
Senator West sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2631 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 7:16 PM Senator Nichols assumes the chair.
The chair laid out SB 2522 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Nichols moved that SB 2522 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2639 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Nichols moved that SB 2639 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 1392 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Nichols moved that HB 1392 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 7:45 PM Senator Bettencourt resumes the chair.
There being no further business, at 7:45 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee
stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair
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Jared Yust, Clerk