MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, May 7, 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, May 7, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Nichols, Chair	Senator Brent Hagenbuch
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Phil King
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Charles Perry

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 876 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 876 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2523 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Adam Hinojosa, 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 HB 2523 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2457 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Nichols moved that HB 2457 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2763 and recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa, 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 Nichols moved that HB 2763 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3135 and recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa, 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 Nichols moved that HB 3135 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2415 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Eckhardt, 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 HB 2415 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2143 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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. Senator Nichols moved that HB 2143 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2799 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. Senator Nichols moved that SB 2799 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

The chair laid out HB 767 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, 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 HB 767 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1672 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Johnson, 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 HB 1672 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2457 as a matter of pending business.  The chair re-opened public testimony.  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 HB 2457 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2198 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hall, 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 HB 2198 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1230 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 Nichols moved that SB 1230 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2515 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 Nichols moved that SB 2515 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1708 and recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa, 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 Nichols moved that HB 1708 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2790 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 2790 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3012 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3012 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2688 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 that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 2688 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3012, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Nichols moved that HB 3012 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 767, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 767 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 HB 1672, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Johnson moved that HB 1672 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1708, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Johnson moved that HB 1708 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 2143, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 2143 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 2198, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 2198 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 2415, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 2415 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 HB 2457, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 2457 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 2523, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 2523 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 2763, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 2763 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 3135, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 3135 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 SB 876, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that SB 876  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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 SB 1230, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that SB 1230 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 SB 2515, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that SB 2515 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 SB 2688, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that SB 2688 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 SB 2790, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that SB 2790 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 SB 2799, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that SB 2799 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 9:03 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