MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, April 3, 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, April 3, 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 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

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

At 9:06 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2043 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 9:23 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 2043 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:46 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 9:47 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:51 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 1183 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 1183 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1184 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 1184 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2051 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

The chair laid out SJR 68 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills 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 2051 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved that SJR 68 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1577 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 Hughes moved that SB 1577 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:47 PM Senator Hall assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SCR 42 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

At 3:48 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 3:49 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand at ease; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:07 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 240 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list.

Senator Hughes moved that SCR 42 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 240 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 511 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt 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 511 do not pass but that CSSB 511 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 33 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell. Senator Hall moved that SB 33 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 510 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 510 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Hinojosa 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 871 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell. Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 871 do not pass but that CSSB 871 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2024 and recognized the author, Senator Perry. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2024 do not pass but that CSSB 2024 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2166 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Parker moved that SB 2166 be reported favorably 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 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 SJR 27 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman. Senator Hall moved that SJR 27 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 40 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell. Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SJR 40 do not pass but that CSSJR 40 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1313 and recognized the author, Senator Cook. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1313 do not pass but that CSSB 1313 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1314 and recognized the author, Senator Cook. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1314 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. 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 1316 and recognized the author, Senator Cook. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1316 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. 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 1541 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Hall moved that SB 1541 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 2420 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton. Senator Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 2420 do not pass but that CSSB 2420 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 Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:12 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1999 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 Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1999 do not pass but that CSSB 1999 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2309 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2309 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1860 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1860 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. 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 2429 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2429 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. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bill: SB 33.

Senator Zaffirini submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 871, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 1860, SB 2024, SB 2166, SB 2420, SB 2429, SJR 27, SJR 40.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SCR 42 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. 

At 5:19 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 240 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. 

Public testimony resumed on SCR 42 and SB 240.

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

There being no further business, at 7:13 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