MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

Decorative graphic

 

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 Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

Decorative graphic

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: — — — — MEMBERS ABSENT: — — Senator Charles — Schwertner, Chair — — — — Senator Brent Hagenbuch — — Senator Phil King, Vice — Chair — — — — Senator Lois Kolkhorst — — Senator César Blanco — — — — — — Senator Donna Campbell — — — — — — Senator Adam Hinojosa — — — — — — Senator Nathan Johnson — — — — — — Senator José Menéndez — — — — — — Senator Kevin Sparks — — — — — — Senator Judith — Zaffirini

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

 

Senator Brent Hagenbuch

Senator Phil King, Vice Chair

 

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator César Blanco

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Adam Hinojosa

 

 

Senator Nathan Johnson

 

 

Senator José Menéndez

 

 

Senator Kevin Sparks

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

Decorative graphic

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Johnson and Senator Menéndez.

 

The Chair laid out the following interim charges and opened invited testimony (see attached witness list) for discussion:

 

Strengthening Regulatory Oversight and Access to Affordable Insurance for Texans: Evaluate the rising cost of property and casualty insurance in Texas. Consider the stability and competitiveness of the Texas insurance market, insurer participation, and coverage availability to meet consumer demand. Make recommendations to increase affordability, improve reporting to strengthen consumer protections, and support timely regulatory and legislative responses.

 

Senator King assumed the chair.

 

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

 

Fostering Financial Technology Innovation: Evaluate the future of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency in the state of Texas and assess Texas’ coordination with federal rules. Assess how the state’s financial regulatory agencies respond to emerging financial technologies and business models, while prioritizing the protection of consumers. Examine the prevalence of virtual currency kiosks in Texas and make recommendations to support their use while protecting vulnerable Texans from scams. Review the implementation of Senate Bill 21, 89th Legislature.

 

Examining Broadband Development Office Strategic Planning: Review the Broadband Development Office's (BDO) management of existing state and federal broadband development funds, as well as ongoing funding decisions under the various funding programs. Evaluate the BDO’s strategic plan for timely broadband deployment and make recommendations to improve the efficiency of BDO programs using existing resources.

 

Senator King assumed the chair.

 

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.

 

There being no further business, at 3:53 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

 

 

__________________________________________

Annika Vandayar, Clerk