MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

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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 Criminal Justice was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Pete Flores, Chair

 

None

Senator Tan Parker, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Brent Hagenbuch

 

 

Senator Juan Hinojosa

 

 

Senator Joan Huffman

 

 

Senator Phil King

 

 

Senator Borris Miles

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Tan Parker, Senator Joan Huffman, and Senator Phil King.

 

The chair laid out SB 1497 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Flores moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Flores moved that SB 1497 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1498 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 Huffman moved that SB 1498 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Hagenbuch, King, Parker submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1498.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out the committee substitute for SB 1497. Senator Flores moved that SB 1497 do not pass but that CSSB 1497 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Hagenbuch, King, Parker submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1497.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1499 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 Parker moved that SB 1499 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1281 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Parker sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Parker to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Flores moved that SB 1281 do not pass but that CSSB 1281 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. . Senator Hagenbuch submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1281.

 

Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 8:53 AM Senator Parker assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1300 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, 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 Parker moved that SB 1300 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1379 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, 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 Parker moved that SB 1379 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1451 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, 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 Flores moved that SB 1451 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Huffman and King submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1451.

 

Senator Hagenbuch 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 1379.

 

Senator Flores moved that SB 1379 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Huffman and King submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1379.

 

Senator Hagenbuch 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 1300.

 

Senator Flores moved that SB 1300 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Huffman and King submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 1300.

 

At 10:00 AM Senator Flores resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 10:02 AM Senator Parker moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Pete Flores, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Haylee Plumley, Clerk