MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Thursday, April 24, 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 Thursday, April 24, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair |
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Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Tan Parker |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator Bob Hall |
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Senator Adam Hinojosa |
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Senator Mayes Middleton |
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Senator Charles Perry |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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Senator Judith Zaffirini |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:21 AM.
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Schwertner, and Senator Zaffirini.
Upon the arrival of Senator Hinojosa a quorum was present. The being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair laid out SJR 54 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 SJR 54 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 9:48 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Upon the adoption of the suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting at 1:00 PM in the Betty King Committee Room.
Senator Bettencourt offered a Motion to Authorize Subpoenas (see attached). The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
At 1:05 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:50 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.
At 5:50 PM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 945 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 Schwertner moved that SB 945 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 946 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 Schwertner moved that SB 946 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:17 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 2044 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner 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 Hughes moved that SB 2044 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2819 and recognized the author, 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 Hughes moved that SB 2819 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 2403 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Senator Middleton sent up Committee Amendment 1 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
Senator Middleton sent up Committee Amendment 2 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
Senator Middleton sent up Committee Amendment 3 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
Senator Middleton sent up Committee Amendment 4 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
Senator Middleton sent up Committee Amendment 5 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
Senator Middleton sent up Committee Amendment 6 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
Senator Middleton sent up Committee Amendment 7 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
Senator Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 8 and was recognized to explain the amendment. Senator Hughes moved to withdraw the amendment; without objection it was so ordered.
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 SB 2403 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 6:47 PM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 2337 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes 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 Schwertner moved that SB 2337 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 312 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes 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.
At 7:49 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
At 7:51 PM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 312 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1367 and recognized the author, 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 Schwertner moved that SB 1367 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1861 and recognized the author, 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 Schwertner moved that SB 1861 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 8:04 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
There being no further business, at 8:04 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