MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, May 15, 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 15, 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 José Menéndez

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1978. Senator Schwertner moved to reconsider the vote for SB 1978, which failed to reach an affirmative vote at a prior meeting; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst 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. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 431. Senator King moved that HB 431 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 1522. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1522 do not pass but that CSHB 1522 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 HB 1922. Senator King moved that HB 1922 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 3228. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that HB 3228 do not pass but that CSHB 3228 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 HB 3229. Senator King moved that HB 3229 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 3803. Senator King moved that HB 3803 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 3804. Senator King moved that HB 3804 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 3805. Senator King moved that HB 3805 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 3806. Senator King moved that HB 3806 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 4219. Senator King moved that HB 4219 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 4238. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that HB 4238 do not pass but that CSHB 4238 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 HB 4344. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Blanco moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that HB 4344 do not pass but that CSHB 4344 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 HB 1584. Senator Campbell moved that HB 1584 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 HB 4739. Senator Campbell moved that HB 4739 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 HB 2963 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2963 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2467 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2467 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 252 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator King 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 252 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2468 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 2468 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4386 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Senator King 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 4386 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4751 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 4751 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HJR 175 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 HJR 175 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2221 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hancock, 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 2221 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 106 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 106 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 144 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 144 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 145 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 145 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 5247 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 5247 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3016 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hagenbuch, 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 3016 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1732 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 1732 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3960 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

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 3960 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3689 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 3689 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2213 and recognized Senator Kolkhorst, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 2213 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2518 and recognized Senator Nathan Johnson, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 2518 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2517 and recognized Senator Nathan Johnson, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 2517 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4490 and recognized Senator Blanco, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 4490 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 11:01 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