MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Monday, July 11, 2022
10:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
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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 Finance was held on Monday, July 11, 2022, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair |
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Senator Kelly Hancock |
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Senator Dawn Buckingham |
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Senator Bryan Hughes |
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Senator Donna Campbell |
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Senator Brandon Creighton |
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst |
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Senator Jane Nelson |
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Senator Robert Nichols |
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Senator Charles Perry |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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Senator Royce West |
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Senator John Whitmire |
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Senator Huffman made opening remarks.
The Committee heard invited and public testimony on the following interim charge:
Federal Funds - Report on the state use of federal COVID-19 relief funds provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts, and similar federal legislation. Examine local use of federal relief funding, including funding provided to school districts through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Evaluate the overall fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on state agencies, including costs incurred due to federal mandates. Identify barriers to the effective utilization of funds and make recommendations on the expenditure of unappropriated funds. In addition, evaluate and report on the spending by state agencies that have been utilizing "one-time" federal funding (temporary enhancements, e.g. FMAP and ESSER) sources, where federal funding will likely be significantly reduced in future biennia.
Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.
The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 3:33 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair
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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk