MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
8:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
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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 Transportation was held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Robert Nichols, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Royce West, Vice Chair |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Brent Hagenbuch |
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Senator Juan Hinojosa |
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Senator Nathan Johnson |
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Senator Phil King |
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Senator Borris Miles |
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Senator Charles Perry |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair welcomed the Committee members to the Senate Transportation Committee and made introductory remarks, followed by the chair’s introduction of the Senate Transportation Committee staff. The chair recognized the Committee members to make opening remarks and introduce their respective staffs.
The chair laid out the proposed Committee Rules for the 89th Legislature. Senator West moved adoption of the Committee Rules. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
The chair laid out SB 857 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. Senator Nichols moved that SB 857 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SCR 25 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill.
Senator West sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Alvarado 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 Nichols moved that SCR 25 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 296 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.
No witnesses registered or testified on the bill. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 296 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 305 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Nichols moved that SB 305 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 284 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator West sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator West 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 Nichols moved that SB 284 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator West assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 35 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 West moved that SB 35 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 995 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 West moved that SB 995 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1121 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 West moved that SB 1121 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1555 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.
Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Nichols 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 West moved that SB 1555 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1902 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1902 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out SB 35, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Nichols moved that SB 35 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out SB 995, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Nichols moved that SB 995 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out SB 1121, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1121 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1555, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Nichols moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1555 do not pass but that CSSB 1555 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Nichols resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 284, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Miles moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Miles moved that SB 284 do not pass but that CSSB 284 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out SB 296, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Perry moved that SB 296 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 305, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Perry moved that SB 305 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 857, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 857 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out SCR 25, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator West moved that SCR 25 do not pass but that CSSCR 25 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 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.
There being no further business, at 9:17 AM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Robert Nichols, Chair
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Amy Jeter, Clerk