MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Thursday, May 15, 2025

9:00 AM

Betty King Committee Room

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government was held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair	None
Senator Mayes Middleton, Vice Chair
Senator Molly Cook
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:13 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 3045 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 3045 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4506 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Hagenbuch, 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 4506 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 5652 and recognized Senator Cook, in the absence of the Senate Sponsor, 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 5652 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3370 and recognized Senator Cook, in the absence of the Senate Sponsor, 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 3370 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2149 and recognized Senator Gutierrez, in the absence of the Senate Sponsor, to explain the bill.

Senator Cook sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Gutierrez to explain the difference between the committee

substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 Bettencourt moved that HB 2149 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 3069 and recognized Senator Cook, in the absence of the author, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 3069 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 3038 and recognized Senator Cook, in the absence of the author, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 3038 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 5424 and recognized Senator Gutierrez, in the absence of the Senate Sponsor, 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 5424 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:31 AM Senator Cook assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3687 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Cook moved that HB 3687 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4205 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Cook moved that HB 4205 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:37 AM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 24 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain

the bill.

Senator Gutierrez sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee

substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 Bettencourt moved that HB 24 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2025 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 2025 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 3065 and recognized Senator Gutierrez, in the absence of the author, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 3065 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:51 AM Senator Cook assumes the chair.

The chair laid out SB 3071 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain

the bill.

Senator Gutierrez sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee

substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 Cook moved that SB 3071 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:40 AM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

At 10:41 AM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:19 PM Senator Bettencourt reconvened the meeting.

At 6:19 PM roll was called. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1633.

Senator Cook moved that SB 1633 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 60.

Senator Nichols moved that SJR 60 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 3038.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 3038 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0

nays, 1 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 SB 3045.

Senator Gutierrez moved that SB 3045 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0

nays, 1 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 24.

Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so

ordered.

Senator Middleton moved that HB 24 do not pass but that CSHB 24 be reported back to the

Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record

vote of 6 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 2025.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 2025 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Nichols 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 2713.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 2713 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Nichols 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 3348.

Senator West moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so

ordered.

Senator West moved that HB 3348 do not pass but that CSHB 3348 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Gutierrez 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 3370.

Senator Paxton moved that HB 3370 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Nichols 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 3505.

Senator Gutierrez moved that HB 3505 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Cook 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 4506.

Senator Cook moved that HB 4506 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 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 5424.

Senator West moved that HB 5424 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 5652.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 5652 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0

nays, 1 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.

At 6:32 PM Senator Middleton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 3071.

Senator Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so

ordered.

Senator Paxton moved that SB 3071 do not pass but that CSSB 3071 be reported back to the

Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record

vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3687.

Senator Paxton moved that HB 3687 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols moves to reconsider the vote by which HB 3687 was reported favorably to the full Senate.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Paxton moved that HB 3687 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0

nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Bettencourt 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 4205.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 4205 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0

nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols moves to reconsider the vote by which HB 4205 was reported favorably to the full Senate.  There being no objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 4205 be reported favorably to the Senate with the

recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0

nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:43 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

Senator Cook is recognized as voting aye on SB 3038.

There being no further business, at 6:43 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee

stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

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Jared Yust, Clerk