MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Thursday, April 8, 2021

8:30 AM

Betty King Committee Room

 

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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 Criminal Justice was held on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator John Whitmire, Chair

 

None

Senator Joan Huffman, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Juan Hinojosa

 

 

Senator Borris Miles

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:35 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 49 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Whitmire sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Whitmire moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 49 do not pass but that CSSB 49 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1164 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1164 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 685 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, 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 Whitmire moved that SB 685 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1047 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1047 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1125 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1125 do not pass but that CSSB 1125 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 512 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Whitmire sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Whitmire moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Whitmire moved that SB 512 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 664 and recognized the author, Senator Powell, to explain the bill.

 

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Powell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

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 Whitmire moved that SB 664 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 698 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 Whitmire moved that SB 698 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SCR 1 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. The chair laid out SB 181 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill with SCR 1.

 

Senator Miles sent up a committee substitute to SB 181.  The chair recognized Senator Nathan Johnson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Miles moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Whitmire moved that SCR 1 and SB 181 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1354 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, 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 Whitmire moved that SB 1354 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 2 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 SB 568 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 568 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 2 absent.

 

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 10:27 AM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator John Whitmire, Chair

 

 

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Giovanna DiNapoli, Clerk