MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

1:00 PM or upon adjournment

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 Health & Human Services was held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair	Senator César Blanco
Senator Charles Perry, Vice Chair
Senator Molly Cook
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 4:36 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Miles

Senator Hughes

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 53. Senator Perry moved that SB 53 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 2 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB 53. Senator Perry 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 125. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hall to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 125 do not pass but that CSSB 125 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay on CSSB 125.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 379. Senator Perry moved that SB 379 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay on SB 379.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 513. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 513 do not pass but that CSSB 513 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 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 599. Senator Perry moved that SB 599 do not pass but that CSSB 599 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 1 absent. Senator Perry 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 CSSB 896. Senator Perry moved that SB 896 do not pass but that CSSB 896 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 1 absent. Senator Perry 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 916. Senator Perry moved that SB 916 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 1 absent. Senator Perry 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 1038. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1038 do not pass but that CSSB 1038 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1330. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1330 do not pass but that CSSB 1330 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 1 absent. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 961 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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 961 do not pass but that CSSB 961 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 315. Senator Hughes moved that SB 315 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 541. Senator Hughes moved that SB 541 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 1 absent. Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 660 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 660 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 660 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 984 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 984 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 984 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1822 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1822 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 493 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 493 (See attached witness list). 

Senator Perry moved that SB 493 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1188 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry moved that SB 1188 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out SB 493.

Senator Perry moved that SB 493 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1188 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1188 (See attached witness list).

Senator Perry moved that SB 1188 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 95 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 95 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 95 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 268 and recognized Senator Hancock, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 268 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 922 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 922 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 922 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1332 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1332 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1332 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1307 and recognized the author, Senator Cook, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered to testify on the bill.

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

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1307 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1098 and recognized Senator Cook, 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 1098 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 619 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 619 (See attached witness list).

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 619 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business: SB 493, SB 1188. 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 Hancock moved that the bills be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 95.

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 95 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 268.

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 268 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 660.

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 660 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 922.

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 922 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 984.

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 984 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1332.

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 1332 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1822.

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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 1822 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:08 PM Senator Cook moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair

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Sally Buck, Clerk