MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	None
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 2894 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Flores, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Flores 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 laid out SB 782 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill.

Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator King 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 Huffman moved that SB 782 be left pending.

The chair laid out HB 3033 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator King, 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 laid out SB 524 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Campbell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

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 laid out HB 3594 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Menéndez, 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 laid out HB 4738 and recognized Senator Nichols, 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.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 42 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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 Huffman moved that HB 42 be left pending.

The chair laid out HB 3474 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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 Huffman moved that HB 3474 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 5246 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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 Huffman moved that HB 5246 be left pending.

Senator Huffman resumes the chair.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out SB 2345 by Schwertner relating to the administration of, contributions to, and benefits under retirement systems for firefighters in certain municipalities. The chair laid out HB 2802 by Bucy, the House companion, in lieu of SB 2345. 

Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner moved that HB 2802 do not pass but that CSHB 2802 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 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 Campbell moved that SB 524 do not pass but that CSSB 524 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 3033 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 3594 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 4738 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Flores moved the adoption of the committee substitute for HB 2894; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Flores moved that HB 2894 do not pass but that CSHB 2894 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 14 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out HB 1056 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, 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 Huffman moved that HB 1056 be left pending.

Senator Alvarado submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 3474.

Senator Hall submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 524, HB 2802, HB 2894, HB 3033, HB 3594 and HB 4738.

Senator West submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 2894, HB 3594 and HB 4738.

Senator Creighton, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Perry and Senator Zaffirini submitted motions in writing asking to be shown voting aye on  SB 524, HB 2802, HB 2894, SB 3033, HB 3474, HB 3594 and HB 4738.

There being no further business, at 11:16 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk