MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

2:00 PM or upon adjournment

Senator Hughes' Desk

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Senator Hughes' Desk.

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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 2:26 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 793 in lieu of SB 1807 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini. Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 793 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 835 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton. Senator Paxton 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 Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 835 do not pass but that CSSB 835 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 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 HB 128 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst. Senator Birdwell moved that HB 128 do not pass but that CSHB 128 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 HB 2259 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 2259 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 HB 668 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst. Senator Middleton moved that HB 668 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 677 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 677 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 HB 766 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini. Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 766 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.

At 2:35 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 34 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes. 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.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that HB 34 do not pass but that CSHB 34 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 HB 2960 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that HB 2960 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 HB 130 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes. 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.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that HB 130 do not pass but that CSHB 130 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 HB 581 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that HB 581 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. 

Senator Schwertner submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: HB 34, HB 128, HB 130, HB 581, HB 668, HB 677, HB 766, HB 2259, and HB 2960.

At 2:41 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 2:41 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