Minutes — Senate Committee on Business & Commerce (March 27, 2025)

Summary

Minutes of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce for Thursday, March 27, 2025, 8:00 AM. The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:02 AM, and a quorum was present. CSSB 455, CSSB 522, CSSB 1036, SB 1255, SB 1341, SJR 50, SB 1664 and CSSB 1877 were each reported with 10 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent, and each was recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar. SB 1642, SB 1643 and SB 1238 were left pending on the motion of the Chair. The Committee stood recessed at 9:44 AM until after adjournment of the Senate, Senator Schwertner reconvened the meeting at 1:08 PM, and the Committee stood recessed at 6:53 PM.

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MINUTES

SENATE
COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday,
March 27, 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 Thursday, March 27,
2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT: | MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles
 Schwertner, Chair | Senator Phil King, Vice
 Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon
 Creighton
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Menéndez
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 Brandon Creighton

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

The Chair laid out as a
matter of pending business SB 455. Senator Middleton 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 Middleton moved the
adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Middleton moved that SB 455 do not pass but that CSSB 455 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 Cair laid out as a
matter of pending business SB 522. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the
committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols
moved that SB 522 do not pass but that CSSB 522 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 1036. Senator Schwertner moved to withdraw the
previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 18, 2025
Hearing.

Senator Schwertner 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 Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1036 do not pass
but that CSSB 1036 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 1057. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of
the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols
moved that SB 1057 do not pass but that CSSB 1057 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 1058. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of
the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols
moved that SB 1058 do not pass but that CSSB 1058 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 1239. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of
the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols
moved that SB 1239 do not pass but that CSSB 1239 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 1254. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of
the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols
moved that SB 1254 do not pass but that CSSB 1254 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 1255. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1255 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 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 1259. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of
the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols
moved that SB 1259 do not pass but that CSSB 1259 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 1341. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1341 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 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 SJR 50. Senator Nichols moved that SJR 50 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 Schwertner moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed
the chair.

The Chair laid out as a
matter of pending business SB 1664. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1664 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 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 1877 and recognized the author, Senator
Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the
committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner
moved that SB 1877 do not pass but that CSSB 1877 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.

Senator Schwertner
resumed the chair.

The Chair opened invited
testimony (see attached witness list) for discussion.

Senator Nichols assumed
the chair.

The Chair laid out SB
1642 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 1642 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB
1643 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 1643 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner
resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB
1238 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 1238 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further
business, at 9:44 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed
until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:08 PM Senator
Schwertner reconvened the meeting.

The Chair laid out SB
1706 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, Adam, 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 1706 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB
1455 and recognized the author, Senator Hagenbuch, 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 1455 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed
the chair.

The Chair laid out SB
1644 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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 1644 be
left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB
1810 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.
Senator Schwertner 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 1810 be
left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 458
and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator
Schwertner 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 458 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner
resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB
1791 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. 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 1791 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed
the chair.

The Chair laid out SB
1824 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 1824 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB
1825 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 1825 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner
resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 758
and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, 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 758 be left pending; without objection, it was
so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 819
and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Nichols assumed
the chair.

Senator Schwertner
resumed the chair.

Senator Nichols assumed
the chair.

Senator Schwertner
resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the
public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair
moved that SB 819 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further
business, at 6:53 PM 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

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