MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in the Senate Chamber.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Robert Nichols, Vice Chair	Senator John Whitmire
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Menéndez

*****

The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:  

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator José Menéndez

The Chair made opening remarks. The Chair recognized members of the Committee to make

opening remarks. The Chair opened invited testimony (see attached witness list) for discussion on the following interim charges:

Broadband and Telecommunications – Study broadband and other telecommunications related issues impacting Texans, including:

· Monitoring the implementation of House Bill 5 and House Bill 1505, 87th Legislature; discuss anticipated federal infrastructure funding dedicated to broadband initiatives;

· Reviewing the Texas Universal Service Fund and reporting what, if any, changes should be made through a review of both the fund's contributions and disbursements, as well as the impact of technology on the long-term stability of the Texas Universal Service Fund; and

· Monitoring the implementation of House Bill 2911, 87th Legislature, relating to Next Generation 9-1-1 service and the establishment of a Next Generation 9-1-1 Service Fund.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair. Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

Electricity – Study issues impacting the Texas electric grid, including:

· Studying weather preparedness and the natural gas supply chain; and

· Evaluating potential benefits of real-time transparency of the intrastate gas market with respect to the functions of ERCOT and the Texas Energy Reliability Council.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair. Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the interim charges are shown on the attached witness

list. The Chair opened public testimony for discussion on the above listed interim charges. The

Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:11 PM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand

recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

__________________________________________

Lucy Tiblier, Clerk