The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce convened on May 23, 2025, to discuss several key legislative proposals aimed at addressing illicit massage businesses and modernizing workers' compensation hearings.

The first significant item on the agenda was Senate Bill 491, which seeks to enhance local enforcement against illicit massage businesses (IMBs). The bill proposes that local government attorneys pursue civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with the collected funds directed towards future anti-human trafficking efforts. This initiative aims to address the issue of IMBs that often rebrand and reopen after being shut down, rendering current injunctions ineffective. Joe Madison, the executive director of Demand Disruption, testified in support of the bill, emphasizing the need for decentralized enforcement. He noted that local district attorneys (DAs) would benefit from retaining the penalties collected, which would enable them to scale their operations against these businesses more effectively. Madison highlighted the challenges of manpower and funding in combating IMBs and expressed optimism that SB 491 would facilitate a more robust local response.

Following the discussion on SB 491, the committee turned its attention to House Bill 2488, presented by Senator Alvarado. This bill aims to authorize the Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) to conduct formal contested case hearings via video conferencing. The DWC has successfully held benefit review conferences through remote means during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this legislation seeks to formalize that practice. By allowing video conferencing for approximately 4,500 hearings annually, the bill aims to modernize the dispute resolution process, reduce travel burdens, and enhance access to justice while maintaining the integrity of the hearings.

The committee concluded the session with both bills pending further consideration. The discussions underscored a commitment to improving local enforcement against human trafficking and modernizing the workers' compensation process in Texas.