MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, May 20, 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 Tuesday, May 20, 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 Mayes Middleton

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2467. Senator King moved that HB 2467 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.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2468. Senator King moved that HB 2468 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 2518. Senator King moved that HB 2518 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 HB 4310 by Representative Vasut in lieu of CSSB 2113 by Senator Hughes as a matter of pending business. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that HB 4310 do not pass but that CSHB 4310 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 4386. Senator King moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that HB 4386 do not pass but that CSHB 4386 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 4490. Senator King moved that HB 4490 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 HB 5323 by Representative King in lieu of SB 2455 by Senator Hancock as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that HB 5323 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 149. 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 149 do not pass but that CSHB 149 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 Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 1500 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 1500 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 150 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that HB 150 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1545 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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 1545 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2818 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 2818 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair. 

The Chair laid out HB 146 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 146 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4464 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst 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 4464 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4668 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 4668 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 5331 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Phil King, 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 5331 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1562 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 1562 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3623 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 3623 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4063 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 4063 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3512 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Senator Blanco 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 3512 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4690 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 4690 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3833 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 3833 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3250 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Menéndez, 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 3250 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4395 and recognized Senator Zaffirini, 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 4395 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3214 and recognized Senator Phil King, 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 3214 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2520 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 2520 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2067 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Middleton, 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 2067 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3466 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 3466 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:46 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