MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

*****

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, May 13, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

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

*****

The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 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 José Menéndez

Senator Judith Zaffirini

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 11. Senator Middleton moved that HB 11 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 Middleton 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 HB 132. Senator King moved that HB 132 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 HB 1041. Senator King moved that HB 1041 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 HB 1606. Senator King moved that HB 1606 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 HB 2286. Senator King moved that HB 2286 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.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 5061. Senator Campbell moved that HB 5061 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 HB 3306 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 3306 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4739 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 4739 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 3803 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 3803 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3804 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 3804 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3806 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 3806 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4219 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 4219 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4238 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 4238 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1522 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 1522 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4344 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Blanco, 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 4344 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3805 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nathan Johnson, 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 3805 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 431 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nathan Johnson, 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 431 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3228 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 3228 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3229 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3229 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1922 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 1922 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

HB 2467

HB 2468

HB 4386

There being no further business, at 8:58 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

__________________________________________

Daniela Velez-Blanc, Clerk