MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 15, 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 15, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

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

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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 Bettencourt, Senator Birdwell, Senator Hall, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Middleton, Senator Parker, Senator Paxton, Senator Perry, and Senator Zaffirini.

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 1506 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1506 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4285 and recognized Senator King, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. Senator Hughes moved that HB 4285 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 201 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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 201 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3909 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 9:33 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 HB 3909 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 796 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Adam Hinojosa, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hall to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 HB 796 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2885 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Paxton moved that HB 2885 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2702 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Adam Hinojosa, 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 HB 2702 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:38 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 186 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Adam Hinojosa, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that HB 186 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:51 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:28 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 186 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Adam Hinojosa. 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 186 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 7:37 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 5138 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 5138 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3225 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3225 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:58 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 229 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 229 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:47 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