Minutes, Senate Committee on Business & Commerce, Tuesday, March 25, 2025 8:00 AM (Texas Senate, 89th Legislature)
Summary
Minutes of a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce of the 89th Texas Legislature on March 25, 2025, chaired by Senator Charles Schwertner. The committee reported bills favorably, including SB 1697, SB 1569, SB 1364, SB 1185 and SB 264, and adopted committee substitutes for SB 1202, SB 1008 and SB 1358. Most passed 11 to 0, but SB 924 was reported by a record vote of 8 ayes and 3 nays, and SB 1029 and SB 1376 by 10 ayes and 1 nay. Bills heard and left pending included SB 1856, SB 522, SB 1239 and SB 783.
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MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Tuesday, March 25, 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 25, 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 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following
business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Judith Zaffirini
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1697. Senator King moved that SB 1697
be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Page 2
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 1569. Senator King moved that SB 1569
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 1202. Senator Schwertner moved the
adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner
moved that SB 1202 do not pass but that CSSB 1202 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 1029. Senator King moved that SB 1029
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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1364. Senator King moved that SB 1364
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 1185. Senator King moved that SB 1185
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 924. Senator King moved that SB 924 be
reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Page 3
The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1008. Senator King moved to withdraw
the previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 18, 2025 Hearing. 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 Schwertner
moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator
King moved that SB 1008 do not pass but that CSSB 1008 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 264. Senator King moved that SB 264 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 1376. Senator King moved that SB 1376
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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1358. Senator King moved the adoption of
the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 1358
do not pass but that CSSB 1358 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 Zaffirini submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on the
following bills: SB 1029, SB 1185, SB 1202, SB 1364, SB 1569, and SB 1697.
Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on the
following bills: SB 1202, SB 1569, and SB 1697.
The Chair laid out SB 1856 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. The Chair moved that
SB 1856 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Page 4
The Chair laid out SB 522 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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. 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 522 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nichols assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 1664 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 1664 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1877 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 1877 be left
pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 1254 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini 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 1254 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1255 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 1255 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1341 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Page 5
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that
SB 1341 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1239 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.
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. 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 1239 be left
pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1259 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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. 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 1259 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1977 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 1977 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1762 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. The Chair moved that
SB 1762 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 783 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.
Senator Menéndez 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 783 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 9:37 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee
stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Page 6
__________________________________________
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair
__________________________________________
Daniela Velez-Blanc, Clerk
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