MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Friday, August 15, 2025
1:00 PM or upon adjournment
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Friday, August 15, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator Bob Hall |
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Senator Adam Hinojosa |
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Senator Mayes Middleton |
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Senator Tan Parker |
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Senator Charles Perry |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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Senator Judith Zaffirini |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:13 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Birdwell, Senator Hall, and Senator Zaffirini.
The chair laid out SB 8 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. Senator Hughes moved that SB 8 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 6 and explained the bill in the absence of the author. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
At 2:49 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.
At 2:56 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 6 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 8 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Senator Hall moved that SB 8 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 SB 7 and recognized the author, 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.
At 3:45 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.
Senator Hughes moved that SB 7 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.
At 3:49 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 15 and explained the bill in the absence of the author. 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 Hughes moved that SB 15 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 11 and recognized the author, 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. Senator Hughes moved that SB 11 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 13 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. Senator Hughes moved that SB 13 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 17 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Witnesses 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 Hughes moved that SB 17 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 12 and recognized the author, 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 Hughes moved that SB 12 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 11 and recognized the author, Senator Parker. Senator Parker moved that SB 11 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.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 13 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 13 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 15 and recognized the author, Senator King. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 15 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
At 4:58 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 12 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 12 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 17 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes. Senator Hughes moved that SB 17 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.
At 5:00 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
Senator Parker submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bill: SB 7.
Senator Perry submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 6, SB 7, SB 8, SB 11, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, and SB 17.
Senator Zaffirini submitted a Motion in Writing voting aye on the following bills: SB 11, and SB 17.
Senator Zaffirini submitted a Motion in Writing voting nay on the following bills: SB 6, SB 7, SB 8, SB 12, and SB 13.
There being no further business, at 5:00 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair
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Victoria Ross, Clerk