MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, May 5, 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, May 5, 2025, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	None
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 9:18 AM.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt, Senator Middleton, Senator Parker, Senator Paxton, Senator Schwertner, and Senator Zaffirini.

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

The chair laid out SB 2254 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, 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 2254 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 82 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill. Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hall 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 82 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1988 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.

At 9:54 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 10:34 AM 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 1988 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1807 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 1807 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:43 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 119 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bryan 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 119 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 130 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bryan Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 130 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 581 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bryan 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 581 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:50 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:50 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Upon the suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, at 3:30 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting in the back corner of the Senate Chamber.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2403 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that SB 2403 do not pass but that CSSB 2403 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1888 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks. Senator Hall moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1888 do not pass but that CSSB 1888 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 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 SB 2417 and recognized the author, Senator King. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 2417 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 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 SB 2459 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 2459 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 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 SB 2943 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch. Senator Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 2943 do not pass but that CSSB 2943 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HJR 98 in lieu of SJR 54, and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell. Senator Bettencourt moved that HJR 98 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1393 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Hall moved that HB 1393 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2884 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst. Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2884 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 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.

There being no further business, at 3:38 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