MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, May 8, 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 8, 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 as a matter of pending business HB 12. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Parker to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that HB 12 do not pass but that CSHB 12 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 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 1361. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1361 do not pass but that CSSB 1361 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 1705. Senator King moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the April 15, 2025 Hearing. 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 1705 do not pass but that CSSB 1705 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 1749. Senator Creighton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Creighton moved that SB 1749 do not pass but that CSSB 1749 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 1897. Senator King moved that SB 1897 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 2344. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 2344 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 Zaffirini 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 2566. Senator King moved that SB 2566 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 2696. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Campbell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 2696 do not pass but that CSSB 2696 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.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 3809 by Representative Darby in lieu of SB 1824 by Senator Schwertner as a matter of pending business. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Campbell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that HB 3809 do not pass but that CSHB 3809 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 HB 4215. Senator Campbell moved that HB 4215 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.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1978. Senator King moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the April 22, 2025 Hearing. Senator King 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 King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1978 do not pass but that CSSB 1978 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 4 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent, the motion failed to receive an affirmative vote of the majority of the membership of the Committee.

The Chair laid out HB 1899 by Representative Longoria in lieu of SB 2184 by Senator Adam Hinojosa as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that HB 1899 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 5061 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 5061 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 132 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 132 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 14 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 14 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1584 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 1584 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1041 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1041 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 11 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Middleton, 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 11 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1606 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1606 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2286 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2286 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:02 AM 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