MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 10, 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 Monday, March 10, 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 9:03 AM.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt, Senator Birdwell, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Parker, Senator Paxton, Senator Perry, Senator Schwertner.

Upon the arrival of Senator Perry, a quorum was present. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 447 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy", 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 Hughes moved that SB 447 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 17 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst. 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.  Senator Hughes moved that the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 3 and recognized the author, Senator Perry.

Senator Perry moved that SB 3 do not pass but that CSSB 3 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Bettencourt submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bill: SB 3.

Senator Parker submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bill: SB 3.

Senator Paxton submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bill: SB 3.

Senator Schwertner submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bill: SB 3.

The chair laid out SB 893 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author 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 Hughes moved that the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair announced that the committee would stand at ease at 9:46 AM.

The chair reconvened the meeting at 10:05 AM.

The chair laid out SB 875 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 875 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 406 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 Hughes moved that SB 406 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:53 AM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1539 and recognized Senator Birdwell, 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 Perry moved that SB 1539 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1346 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 1346 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SCR 22 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 SCR 22 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 29 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Perry 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 12:26 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 the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:09 PM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1033 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 1033 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1362 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 1362 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:41 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 1:42 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