MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, March 13, 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, March 13, 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 9:08 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

The chair laid out SB 1596 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch, 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 1596 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1505 and recognized the author, Senator Perry. Senator Perry moved that SB 1505 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 17 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst. Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 17 do not pass but that CSSB 17 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate at 9:44 AM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:37 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

At 12:37 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1026 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 Paxton moved that SB 1026 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:13 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 533 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, 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 533 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 318 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 318 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:53 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 108 and recognized the author, 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. Senator Paxton moved that SB 108 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 507 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 507 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 511 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 511 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:46 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1433 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 Hughes moved that SB 1433 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1434 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 Hughes moved that SB 1434 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 965 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Hall moved that SB 965 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt 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 985 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Parker moved that SB 985 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell 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 509 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Hall moved that SB 509 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Parker 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 406 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 406 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 875 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell. Senator Hall moved that SB 875 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 447 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy.” Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 447 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt 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 893 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson. Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 893 do not pass but that CSSB 893 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Parker 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 1539 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1539 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Parker 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 987 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 987 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

At 3:24 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 810 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 810 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1073 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1073 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1119 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Parker moved that SB 1119 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hughes 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 689 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Paxton moved that SB 689 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1220 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Middleton moved that SB 1220 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hughes 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 1033 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hall moved that SB 1033 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt 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 1346 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hall moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hall moved that SB 1346 do not pass but that CSSB 1346 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hughes 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 1362 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Middleton moved that SB 1362 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SCR 22 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell moved that SCR 22 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 17 and SB 1505.

Senator Paxton submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 17 and SB 1505.

Senator Perry submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 406, SB 447, SB 509, SB 689, SB 810, SB 875, SB 893, SB 965, SB 985, SB 987, SB 1033, SB 1073, SB 1119, SB 1220, SB 1346, SB 1362, SB 1539, and SCR 22.

Senator Schwertner submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 17, SB 406, SB 509, SB 965, SB 985, and SB 1505.

Senator Zaffirini submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 447, SB 509, SB 893, SB 965, SB 985, SB 987, SB 1033, SB 1119, SB 1187, SB 1220, SB 1346, SB 1539, and SCR 22.

At 3:37 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There was no action taken for the following bill(s): SB 1386.

There being no further business, at 3:38 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