MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, April 24, 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 Thursday, April 24, 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 Donna Campbell

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2139. Senator King moved that SB 2139 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 2610. Senator Schwertner moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the April 22, 2025 Hearing. Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Blanco moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that SB 2610 do not pass but that CSSB 2610 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.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1856. Senator Creighton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Creighton moved that SB 1856 do not pass but that CSSB 1856 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.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2530. Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that SB 2530 do not pass but that CSSB 2530 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.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2858. Senator Creighton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Creighton moved that SB 2858 do not pass but that CSSB 2858 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 5 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 3016. Senator Creighton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Creighton moved that SB 3016 do not pass but that CSSB 3016 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 5 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2401. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that SB 2401 do not pass but that CSSB 2401 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.

The Chair laid out SB 1906 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 1906 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton moved to reconsider the vote by which CSSB 1856 was reported favorably to the full Senate without objection it was so ordered. Senator Creighton moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute to SB 1856 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Creighton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Creighton moved that SB 1856 do not pass but that CSSB 1856 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. 

The Chair laid out SB 1113 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 1113 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2680 and recognized Senator Kolkhorst, 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. The Chair moved that SB 2680 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1117 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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 1117 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2340 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 2340 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 705 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 705 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 748 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 748 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye for CSSB 1856; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The Chair laid out SB 1206 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 1206 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1460 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 1460 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:25 AM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed until 9:30 AM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell assumed the chair.

At 9:30 AM, the Chair called the Committee back to order.

The Chair laid out SB 1802 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, 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 1802 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2455 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 2455 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2690 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 2690 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1917 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1917 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:02 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