MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, March 6, 2025

11:00 AM or upon adjournment

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, March 6, 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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Senator Paxton, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 1:37 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, was suspended to hear the following bills:

SB 914 and SB 987.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Middleton, Senator Schwertner, and Senator Hughes.

The chair laid out SB 985 and SB 1220 and recognized the author of SB 985, Senator Bettencourt, to explain both his bill and SB 1220 in the absence of the author. 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 Paxton moved that SB 985 and SB 1220 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 914 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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 Paxton moved that SB 914 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 509 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 Paxton moved that SB 509 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 985 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

At 2:10 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

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

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 914 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 914 do not pass but that CSSB 914 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Paxton submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on SB 914.

Senator Schwertner submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on SB 914.

Senator Zaffirini submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on SB 914.

At 2:28 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1187 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 2:51 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

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 1187 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:00 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 689 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

At 3:03 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

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

At 3:44 PM Senator Middleton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 17 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

At 3:54 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

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

There being no further business, at 5:43 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