MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, February 27, 2025

9:00 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 State Affairs was held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	None
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 Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:11 AM.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt, Senator Birdwell, Senator Hall, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Paxton, Senator Schwertner, and Senator Zaffirini.

Upon the arrival of Senator Paxton a quorum was established at 9:19 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

At 9:13 AM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 688 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 688 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 666 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 666 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:26 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 707 and recognized Senator Middleton, in the absence of the author, 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 Hughes moved that SB 707 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 888 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, in the absence of the author, 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.

At 9:43 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 18 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 18 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:48 AM Senator Paxton moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:03 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

At 12:03 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 18 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 12:04 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

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

At 12:43 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

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

Senator Perry moved that SB 18 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 19 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Middleton 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.

At 1:45 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

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

Senator Hughes moved that the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:21 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