MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, May 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 Thursday, May 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 Brandon Creighton

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

The Chair laid out HB 912 by Representative Moody in lieu of SB 1003 by Senator Blanco as a matter of pending business. Senator Blanco moved that HB 912 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 705. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 705 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 748. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 748 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 1113. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1113 do not pass but that CSSB 1113 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 2221. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Parker 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 2221 do not pass but that CSSB 2221 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 2586. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Flores 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 2586 do not pass but that CSSB 2586 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 2587. Senator Zaffirini moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the April 22, 2025 Hearing. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 2587 do not pass but that CSSB 2587 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 2680. Senator King moved that SB 2680 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2690. Senator King moved that SB 2690 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 383. Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Middleton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that SB 383 do not pass but that CSSB 383 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1802. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Alvarado 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 King moved that SB 1802 do not pass but that CSSB 1802 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 2994. Senator Johnson moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the April 15, 2025 Hearing. Senator Johnson sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Johnson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Johnson moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson moved that SB 2994 do not pass but that CSSB 2994 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 517 by Representative Harris Davila in lieu of CSSB 542 by Senator Schwertner as a matter of pending business. Senator Schwertner moved that HB 517 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 1117. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1117 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 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 2340. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 2340 do not pass but that CSSB 2340 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, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1652 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini 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 1652 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1897 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 1897 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2113 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 2113 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2677 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 2677 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 12 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 12 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1361 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, 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 1361 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2344 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 2344 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2327 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini 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 2327 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2696 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 2696 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:55 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:45 PM Senator Schwertner reconvened the meeting.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 149 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 149 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 229 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 229 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2566 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 2566 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1749 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Nichols 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 1749 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 1:33 PM Senator Nichols 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