MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, April 7, 2025

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

 

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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 State Affairs was held on Monday, April 7, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

 

 

Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Adam Hinojosa

 

 

Senator Mayes Middleton

 

 

Senator Tan Parker

Senator Charles Perry

 

 

Senator Charles Schwertner

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:06 AM.

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt, Senator Birdwell, Senator Hall, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Middleton, Senator Parker, Senator Paxton, Senator Perry and Senator Schwertner.

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 801 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 SB 801 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1410 and recognized Senator Paxton, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The chair laid out SB 1717 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The chair laid out SJR 63 and recognized the author, 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 Hughes moved that SB 1410 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hughes moved that SB 1717 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hughes moved that SJR 63 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1200 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst 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 Hughes moved that SB 1200 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2626 and recognized Senator Paxton, 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 Hughes moved that SB 2626 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 506 and recognized Senator Hall, 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 Hughes moved that SB 506 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2681 and recognized Senator Hall, 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 Hughes moved that SB 2681 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:01 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1862 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized the author 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 Paxton moved that SB 1862 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1863 and recognized the author, 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 Paxton moved that SB 1863 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2216 and recognized the author, 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 Paxton moved that SB 2216 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:32 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 10:32 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Upon the adoption of the suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, Senator Hughes reconvened the Senate Committee on State Affairs at 5:17 PM at his desk in the Senate Chamber.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1868 and recognized the author, Senator Perry. Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1868 do not pass but that CSSB 1868 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 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 SJR 39 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SJR 39 do not pass but that CSSJR 39 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1184 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1184 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, 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 SB 1577 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Parker moved that SB 1577 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Paxton moved to reconsider the vote by which SB 1184 was previously passed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1184 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1184 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

At 5:25 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SCR 42 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SCR 42 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Birdwell submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 1184, SB 1577, SB 1868, SCR 42, and SJR 39.

 

At 5:27 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 5:27 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