MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 1, 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, May 1, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	Senator Judith Zaffirini
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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:14 AM.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Birdwell, Senator Middleton, Senator Parker, Senator Paxton, Senator Perry, and 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 HB 1393 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1393 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2884 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill. No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. Senator Hughes moved that HB 2884 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2417 and recognized the author, Senator King, 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 2417 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2943 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hagenbuch 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 SB 2943 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1888 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill. Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks 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 SB 1888 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:52 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:33 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 2459 and recognized Senator Birdwell, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell 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 SB 2459 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 3055 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 2:04 PM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

At 3:56 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

At 5:37 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 7:19 PM 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 3055 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 8:21 PM Senator Paxton 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