MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, March 18, 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 18, 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 8:06 AM. There being a quorum present at 8:15 AM, the following business was transacted:

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

The chair laid out SB 990 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 Hagenbuch moved that SB 990 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.

The chair laid out SB 958 and recognized Senator Huffman, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Hagenbuch sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman 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 958 do not pass but that CSSB 958 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 moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 487 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill. 

Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Flores moved that SB 487 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 Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 988 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 Hinojosa moved that SB 988 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 535 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hinojosa 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 535 do not pass but that CSSB 535 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.

The chair laid out SB 1019 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 1019 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 Miles moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1021 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 King moved that SB 1021 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 King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 761 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy", to explain the bill.

Senator Miles sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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 761 do not pass but that CSSB 761 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 Miles moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1120 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Juan "Chuy", 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 1120 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 Parker moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:47 AM Senator Parker assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 251 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 251 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 Hagenbuch moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 608 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 Hagenbuch moved that SB 608 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 Hagenbuch moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:06 AM Senator Flores resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 955 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, 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 955 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 Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 957 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, 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 957 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 Hagenbuch moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:28 AM Senator Parker moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Pete Flores, Chair

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Haylee Plumley, Clerk