MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	None
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
Senator C�sar Blanco
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Jos� Men�ndez
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Judith Zaffirini

*****

The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator Jos� Men�ndez

Senator Robert Nichols

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1006. Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute.� The Chair recognized Senator Middleton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.� Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1006 do not pass but that CSSB 1006 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 Schwertner 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 388. Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator King to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 388 do not pass but that CSSB 388 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 917. Senator King moved that SB 917 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 Schwertner 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 504. Senator King sent up a committee substitute.� The Chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.� Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 504 do not pass but that CSSB 504 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 Schwertner 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 925 and recognized Senator Kolkhorst, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst sent up a committee substitute.� The Chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King moved that SB 925 do not pass but that CSSB 925 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 815. Senator Schwertner moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the February 27, 2025 Hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner sent up a new committee substitute.� The Chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 815 do not pass but that CSSB 815 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 378 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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. The Chair moved that SB 378 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1252 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute.� The Chair recognized Senator Schwertner 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. The Chair moved that SB 1252 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1172 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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. The Chair moved that SB 1172 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 681 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author 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. The Chair moved that SB 681 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 918 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. The Chair moved that SB 918 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1343 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. The Chair moved that SB 1343 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 213 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill. Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 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. The Chair moved that SB 213 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 610 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, 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. The Chair moved that SB 610 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SCR 8 and recognized Senator Kolkhorst, in the absence of the author, 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. The Chair moved that SCR 8 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:00 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

__________________________________________

Daniela Velez-Blanc, Clerk