MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, April 1, 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, April 1, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	None
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
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 8:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator César Blanco

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 783. Senator Menéndez moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 25, 2025 Hearing. Senator Menéndez moved that SB 783 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1238. Senator King moved that SB 1238 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1706. Senator King moved that SB 1706 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 1791. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that SB 1791 do not pass but that CSSB 1791 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 458. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 458 do not pass but that CSSB 458 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 1644. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1644 do not pass but that CSSB 1644 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 1810. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1810 do not pass but that CSSB 1810 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 SB 1968 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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 1968 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2411 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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 2411 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 2321 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 2321 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2077 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 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. 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 2077 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1405 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 1405 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1299 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 1299 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 776 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 776 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 715 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Johnson assumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that SB 715 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 75 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst 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 75 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2148 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, 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 2148 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:53 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:35 PM Senator Schwertner reconvened the meeting.

The Chair laid out SB 2021 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Senator Johnson 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 2021 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2330 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 Schwertner moved that SB 2330 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 6:07 PM 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