MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

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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 Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	Senator César Blanco
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator José Menéndez

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 918. Senator King moved that SB 918 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1343 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Senator King moved that SB 1343 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 as a matter of pending business SB 213. Senator King moved that SB 213 do not pass but that CSSB 213 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Schwertner 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 1172. Senator King sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1172 do not pass but that CSSB 1172 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Schwertner 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 681. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 681 do not pass but that CSSB 681 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Schwertner 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 610. Senator King moved that SB 610 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Schwertner 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 SCR 8. Senator King moved that SCR 8 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Schwertner moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 378. Senator Campbell moved that SB 378 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Campbell 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 1252. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1252 do not pass but that CSSB 1252 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 924 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, 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. The Chair moved that SB 924 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 264 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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. The Chair moved that SB 264 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1057 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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. The Chair moved that SB 1057 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1058 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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. The Chair moved that SB 1058 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SJR 50 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. The Chair moved that SJR 50 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1358 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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. The Chair moved that SB 1358 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1376 and recognized the author, 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. The Chair moved that SB 1376 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1008 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 1008 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1569 and recognized the author, Senator King, 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. The Chair moved that SB 1569 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1036 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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. The Chair moved that SB 1036 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1185 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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. The Chair moved that SB 1185 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1697 and recognized the author, 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. The Chair moved that SB 1697 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1202 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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. The Chair moved that SB 1202 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1364 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. The Chair moved that SB 1364 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1029 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. The Chair moved that SB 1029 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 542 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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. The Chair moved that SB 542 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

There was no action taken for the following bill(s): SB 1664

There being no further business, at 10:59 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

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Daniela Velez-Blanc, Clerk