MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Thursday, April 24, 2025

8:30 AM

Betty King Committee Room

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government was held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair	Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Mayes Middleton, Vice Chair
Senator Molly Cook
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Royce West

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 628 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini , to explain the bill.
Senator Cook sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 628 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 208 and recognized the author, Senator West , to explain the bill.
Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator West 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 208 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1042 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1042 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1708.
Senator Middleton sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa, A to explain the difference between the committee
substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1708 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2778 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, A, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2778 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2835 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson , to explain the bill.
Senator Cook sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Johnson 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2835 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2608 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2608 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 3044 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 3044 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2367 and recognized Senator Paxton, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2367 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:36 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2523 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Paxton moved that SB 2523 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2521 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Paxton moved that SB 2521 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2477 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt , to explain the bill.
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.
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.
Senator Paxton moved that SB 2477 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:56 AM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

At 9:57 AM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 to 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:44 PM Senator Bettencourt reconvened the meeting.���

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1237.
Senator Middleton 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 Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so Ordered.
Senator Middleton moved that SB 1237 do not pass but that CSSB 1237 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 1 absent.
Senator Middleton 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 1708.
Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so Ordered.
Senator Middleton moved that SB 1708 do not pass but that CSSB 1708 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 1 absent.
Senator Middleton 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 1844.
Senator Middleton 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 Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so Ordered.
Senator Middleton moved that SB 1844 do not pass but that CSSB 1844 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 1 absent.
Senator Middleton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:49 PM Senator Middleton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1454.
Senator Paxton 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 Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so Ordered.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 1454 do not pass but that CSSB 1454 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 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 2520.
Senator Paxton 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 Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so Ordered.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 2520 do not pass but that CSSB 2520 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Nichols 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 2541.
Senator Paxton 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 Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so Ordered.
Senator Paxton moved that SB 2541 do not pass but that CSSB 2541 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 4:54 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2354 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2354 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2703 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2703 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 777 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes , to explain the bill.
Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute.
The chair recognized Senator Hughes 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 777 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2965 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2965 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:02 PM Senator Bettencourt recognized two motions in writing from Senator Cook and Senator West as voting aye on SB�s 1237, 1454, 1708, 1844, 2520 and Nay on SB 2541.

There being no further business, at 6:03 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

__________________________________________

Jared Yust, Clerk