MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Monday, May 5, 2025

1:30 PM or upon adjournment/recess

Press Room

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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 Health & Human Services was held on Monday, May 5, 2025, in the Press Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair	None
Senator Charles Perry, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Molly Cook
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:34 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Bob Hall

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 26 in lieu of SB 3001.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Sparks moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Sparks moved that HB 26 do not pass but that CSHB 26 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 109 in lieu of SB 2583.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Sparks moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Sparks moved that HB 109 do not pass but that CSHB 109 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 0 absent.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 140 in lieu of SB 425.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Sparks moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Sparks moved that HB 140 do not pass but that CSHB 140 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 0 absent.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1986.

Senator Perry moved that SB 1986 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 0 absent.

Senator Perry 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 2311.

Senator Perry moved that SB 2311 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 0 absent.

Senator Perry 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 CSHB 451.   

Senator Perry moved that HB 451 do not pass but that CSHB 451 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 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 466.

Senator Perry moved that SB 466 do not pass but that CSSB 466 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 0 absent.

Senator Perry 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 1310.

Senator Miles sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Cook to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Miles moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Miles moved that SB 1310 do not pass but that CSSB 1310 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 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2446.

The chair moved to withdraw the committee substitute that was left pending at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry sent up a new committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  

Senator Perry moved that SB 2446 do not pass but that CSSB 2446 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 0 absent.

Senator Perry 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 136.

Senator Cook moved that HB 136 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

There being no further business, at 3:49 PM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair

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Sally Buck, Clerk