Minutes — Senate Committee on Business & Commerce (May 15, 2025)

Summary

Minutes of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce for Thursday, May 15, 2025, 8:00 AM. The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 AM, and a quorum was present. Senator Schwertner moved to reconsider the vote for SB 1978, which failed to reach an affirmative vote at a prior meeting, and the motion on CSSB 1978 carried with 7 ayes, 4 nays and 0 absent. Motions on HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229 and HB 4344 each carried with 11 ayes, 0 nays and 0 absent. HB 2963, HB 2467, HB 252 and HB 2468 were among the bills left pending, and Senator Schwertner moved at 11:01 AM that the Committee stand recessed.

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MINUTES

SENATE
COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday,
May 15, 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, May 15, 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 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 8:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following
business was transacted:

The following members
arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Brandon Creighton

Senator Nathan Johnson

Senator José Menéndez

The Chair laid out as a
matter of pending business SB 1978. Senator Schwertner moved to reconsider the
vote for SB 1978, which failed to reach an affirmative vote at a prior meeting;
without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1978 do
not pass but that CSSB 1978 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 HB 431. Senator King moved that HB 431 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 HB 1522. Senator King sent up a committee
substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator
Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it
was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1522 do not pass but that CSHB
1522 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 HB 1922. Senator King moved that HB 1922 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 HB 3228. Senator King moved the adoption of the
committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved
that HB 3228 do not pass but that CSHB 3228 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 HB 3229. Senator King moved that HB 3229 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 HB 3803. Senator King moved that HB 3803 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 HB 3804. Senator King moved that HB 3804 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 HB 3805. Senator King moved that HB 3805 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 HB 3806. Senator King moved that HB 3806 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 HB 4219. Senator King moved that HB 4219 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 HB 4238. Senator King moved the adoption of the
committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved
that HB 4238 do not pass but that CSHB 4238 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 HB 4344. Senator King sent up a committee
substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator
Blanco moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it
was so ordered. Senator Blanco moved that HB 4344 do not pass but that CSHB
4344 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.

Senator King assumed the
chair.

The Chair laid out as a
matter of pending business HB 1584. Senator Campbell moved that HB 1584 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 Campbell 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 4739. Senator Campbell moved that HB 4739 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 Campbell 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 laid out HB
2963 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hall, 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 HB 2963 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
2467 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hall, 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 HB 2467 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 252
and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator
King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate sponsor to
explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as
engrossed. 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 HB 252 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
2468 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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 HB 2468 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
4386 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.
Senator King sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate
sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house
bill as engrossed. 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 HB 4386 be left
pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
4751 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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 HB 4751 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HJR
175 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Parker, 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 HJR 175 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
2221 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.
Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the Senate
sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the
house bill as engrossed. 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 HB 2221 be
left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed
the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 106
and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 106 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 144
and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 144 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 145
and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 145 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
5247 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 5247 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
3016 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3016 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
1732 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1732 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
3960 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Schwertner
resumed the chair.

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 HB 3960 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
3689 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3689 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
2213 and recognized Senator Kolkhorst, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2213 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
2518 and recognized Senator Nathan Johnson, in the absence of the Senate
sponsor, 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 HB 2518 be
left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
2517 and recognized Senator Nathan Johnson, in the absence of the Senate
sponsor, 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 HB 2517 be
left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB
4490 and recognized Senator Blanco, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 4490 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further
business, at 11:01 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

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