MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

8:30 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 Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Senator Hughes' Desk.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:46 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2363 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton. 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.  Senator Hall moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hall moved that SB 2363 do not pass but that CSSB 2363 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2044 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2044 do not pass but that CSSB 2044 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2633 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson. Senator Parker moved that SB 2633 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2637 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson. Senator Parker moved that SB 2637 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, 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 SB 2713 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2713 do not pass but that CSSB 2713 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2781 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell. Senator Perry moved that SB 2781 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Birdwell 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 2782 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell. Senator Parker moved that SB 2782 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, 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 SB 3059 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 3059 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Birdwell 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 1130 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Donna Campbell. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 1130 do not pass but that CSHB 1130 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 Paxton 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 2334 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Parker sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Parker to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 2334 do not pass but that CSSB 2334 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.

At 8:57 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1861 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1861 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2337 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2337 do not pass but that CSSB 2337 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 946 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes 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 Hughes moved that SB 946 do not pass but that CSSB 946 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1367 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1367 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 945 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 945 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2043 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2043 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 9:02 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 9:02 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