MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Thursday, February 13, 2025

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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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 Finance was held on Thursday, February 13, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Brandon Creighton Senator Pete Flores
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair made opening remarks.

The Chair laid out SB 1.

Testimony was heard on SB 1 � Article VIII, Regulatory and Article IX, General Provisions.  Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

Public Utility Commission

Office of Public Utility Counsel

Behavioral Health Executive Council

Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Board of Dental Examiners

At 9:55 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand in recess.

At 1:14 PM the Committee reconvened.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

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Texas Medical Board

Texas Board of Nursing

Optometry Board

Board of Pharmacy

Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners

Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

State Office of Administrative Hearings

Funeral Service Commission

Board of Professional Geoscientists

Health Professions Council

Office of Injured Employee Counsel

Department of Insurance

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

Office of Public Insurance Counsel

Department of Licensing and Regulation

Board of Plumbing Examiners

Racing Commission

Securities Board

Special Provisions Relating to All Regulatory Agencies

Article IX, General Provisions

 The Chair closed public testimony.

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman announced the following workgroups:

Articles I, IV and V

Senator Schwertner, Chair

Senator Hinojosa

Senator Flores

Article II

Senator Kolkhorst, Chair

Senator Alvarado

Senator Paxton

Article III, Public Education

Senator Creighton, Chair

Senator Campbell

Senator West

Article III, Higher Education

Senator Bettencourt, Chair

Senator Campbell

Senator Zaffirini

Articles VI, VII and VIII

Senator Nichols, Chair

Senator Perry

Senator Hall

There being no further business, at 4:11 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk