MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

9:00 AM

Betty King Committee Room

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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 Jurisprudence was held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	None
Senator Nathan Johnson, Vice Chair
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Mayes Middleton

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Creighton, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Johnson, and Senator Middleton.

Upon the arrival of Senator Creighton a quorum was present. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 1916 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Witnesses 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. Senator Hughes moved that HB 1916 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1973 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Johnson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Witnesses 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. Senator Hughes moved that HB 1973 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2530 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Witnesses 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. Senator Hughes moved that HB 2530 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4213 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Johnson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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. Senator Hughes moved that HB 4213 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2524 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator 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. Senator Hughes moved that HB 2524 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3180 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Witnesses 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. Senator Hughes moved that HB 3180 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:52 AM Senator Johnson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 40 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Johnson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Witnesses 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. Senator Johnson moved that HB 40 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3421 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Witnesses 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. Senator Johnson moved that HB 3421 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4170 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. Senator Johnson moved that HB 4170 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:58 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3783 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. Senator Hughes moved that HB 3783 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:14 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Upon the suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting at 6:16 PM in the Betty King Room.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1916 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 1916 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hinojosa 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 1973 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini. Senator Johnson moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson moved that HB 1973 do not pass but that CSHB 1973 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Johnson 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 2524 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Johnson. Senator Johnson moved that HB 2524 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Johnson 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 2530 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini. Senator Middleton moved that HB 2530 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 3180 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Johnson. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 3180 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:21 PM Senator Johnson assumed the chair.      

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 40 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Hughes moved to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that HB 40 do not pass but that CSHB 40 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3421 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that HB 3421 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 6:28 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

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Victoria Ross, Clerk