MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, April 28, 2025

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

*****

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 28, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Adam Hinojosa
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM.

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

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

The chair laid out SB 2633 and recognized the author, 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 SB 2633 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2637 and recognized the author, 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 SB 2637 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2781 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 Hughes moved that SB 2781 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2782 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 Hughes moved that SB 2782 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2334 and recognized the author, 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 SB 2334 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 3059 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 3059 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1130 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Donna Campbell, to explain the bill. Senator Parker sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Campbell 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 1130 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2713 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2713 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:54 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:29 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2713 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Public testimony resumed on SB 2713. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2713 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1698 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 1698 do not pass but that CSSB 1698 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2487 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 2487 do not pass but that CSSB 2487 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Parker 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 2819 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Hall moved that SB 2819 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Hall moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 1698, SB 2487, and SB 2819.

Senator Middleton submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 1698, SB 2487, and SB 2819.

Senator Paxton submitted a Motion In Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 1698, SB 2487, and SB 2819.

At 6:41 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2101 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini 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.

At 6:45 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2101 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 7:50 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

__________________________________________

Victoria Ross, Clerk