MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Friday, May 23, 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 Friday, May 23, 2025, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Royce West, Vice Chair

 

Senator Phil King

Senator Brent Hagenbuch

 

Senator Borris Miles

Senator Juan Hinojosa

 

Senator Charles Perry

Senator Nathan Johnson

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 AM. The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out HB 1960 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Adam Hinojosa, 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 HB 1960 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 227 and recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 227 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2012 and recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2012 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

The chair laid out HB 2686 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 2686 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3642 and recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 3642 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3815 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 3815 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 3928 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 Hinojosa moved that HB 3928 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 4520 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 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. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 4520 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

The chair recognized Lance Simmons, Chief Engineer at the Texas Department of Transportation, on the occasion of his retirement.

 

The Committee stood at ease.

 

The chair called the meeting back to order.

 

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 4520, 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 HB 4520 do not pass but that CSHB 4520 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent. Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3928, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Nichols moved that HB 3928 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent. 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 227, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 227 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent. Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1960, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 1960 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent. Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2012, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 2012 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 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 2686, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 2686 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 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 3642, 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 HB 3642 do not pass but that CSHB 3642 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 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 3815, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved that HB 3815 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 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 2427, which had been left pending at a previous hearing. Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 2427 do not pass but that CSHB 2427 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.

 

There being no further business, at 8:50 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