MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Monday, May 19, 2025
2:00 PM or upon adjournment
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
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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 Local Government was held on Monday, May 19, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Mayes Middleton, Vice Chair |
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Senator Molly Cook |
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Senator Roland Gutierrez |
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Senator Robert Nichols |
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Senator Angela Paxton |
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Senator Royce West |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 5:35 PM. The following business was transacted:
The chair laid out SB 2784 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 Nichols moved that SB 2784 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 5084 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Gutierrez, 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 Nichols moved that HB 5084 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 5534 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 Nichols moved that HB 5534 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 4370 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.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 4370 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 3120 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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 Nichols moved that HB 3120 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:52 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.
The chair laid out HB 5057 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Nichols, 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 HB 5057 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2421 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Eckhardt, 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 HB 2421 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2011 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Paxton, 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 2011 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 3065.
Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Paxton to explain the difference between the committee
substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 3065 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:06 PM the roll was called, and a quorum was established.
The chair laid out HB 3575 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 3575 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 4809 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 4809 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2273 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2273 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 247 and HJR 34 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Middleton, to explain the bills.
Witnesses registering on the bills 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 247 and HJR 34 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 2464 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Middleton, 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 2464 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:21 PM Senator Middleton assumed the chair.
The chair laid out HB 3424 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 Middleton moved that HB 3424 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:23 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.
The chair laid out HB 2013 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2013 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 5668 and recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Parker, 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 5668 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out HB 3788 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 3788 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:42 the chair recognizes Senator Cook as present.
At 6:42 PM Senator Middleton assumed the chair.
The chair laid out HB 1533 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 Middleton moved that HB 1533 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:50 PM the chair recognizes Senator West as present.
The chair laid out HB 23 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, 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.
Senator Middleton moved that HB 23 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 7:17 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2784.
Senator Paxton moved that SB 2784 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 SB 3065.
Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 3065 do not pass but that CSSB 3065 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, 0 nays, 1 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 5686.
Senator Paxton moved that HB 5686 be reported favorably to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0
nays, 1 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 247.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 247 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, 2
nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HJR 34.
Senator Nichols moved that HJR 34 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, 2
nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2011.
Senator Middleton moved that HB 2011 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 2273.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 2273 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 2421.
Senator Cook moved that HB 2421 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Paxton 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 2464.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 2464 be reported favorably to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1
nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Paxton 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 2715.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 2715 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, 2
nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3575.
Senator Paxton moved that HB 3575 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, 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 3788.
Senator Paxton moved that HB 3788 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, 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 4370.
Senator Paxton moved that HB 4370 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 4809.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 4809 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 5057.
Senator Middleton moved that HB 5057 be reported favorably to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1
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 5084.
Senator Paxton moved that HB 5084 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Paxton 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 5534.
Senator Cook moved that HB 5534 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 5668.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 5668 be reported favorably to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0
nays, 1 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.
At 7:39 PM Senator Middleton resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1533.
Senator Paxton moved that HB 1533 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Paxton 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 3424.
Senator Nichols moved that HB 3424 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 7:41 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.
At 7:42 Senator Middleton recognized a motion in writing from Senator West.
There being no further business, at 7:42 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