MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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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 State Affairs was held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

 

None

Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator Jane Nelson

 

 

Senator Beverly Powell

 

 

Senator Charles Schwertner

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:16 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 56 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that SB 56 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:20 AM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 841 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 Birdwell moved that SB 841 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1134 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.  Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1134 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:28 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 484 and recognized the author, Senator 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 Hughes moved that SB 484 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1387.   Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute to SB 1387; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1387 do not pass but that CSSB 1387 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 484.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 484 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 56.   Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 56 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 207.  Senator Campbell moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 207 do not pass but that CSSB 207 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  

 

At 9:45 AM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 598 and recognized Senator Hughes, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hughes moved that SB 598 do not pass but that CSSB 598 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1340 and recognized Senator Hughes, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hughes moved that SB 1340 do not pass but that CSSB 1340 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1235 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.  Senator Hughes moved that SB 1235 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 841 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.  Senator Hughes moved that SB 841 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1134 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1134 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 Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:54 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SJR 45 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 Schwertner moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Schwertner moved that SJR 45 do not pass but that CSSJR 45 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out SB 1025 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 Powell moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Powell moved that SB 1025 do not pass but that CSSB 1025 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair moved that Motions in Writing submitted by Senators Campbell, Hall, Lucio and Zaffirini be adopted; without objection, the motion carried.

 

There being no further business, at 11:21 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

 

 

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Courtney Smith, Clerk