MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, September 10, 2018

1:00 PM

Senate Chamber

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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 Monday, September 10, 2018, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	Senator Bryan Hughes, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:05 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The committee heard invited and public testimony regarding the following interim charges:

1) Examine the structure of court fees and make recommendations to ensure statutory filing fees and court costs are appropriate and justified. Provide recommendations for proper agency oversight of fee collection.

2) Review the Attorney General's efforts related to price-gouging and identify existing issues with current law, if any, that could be remedied to further protect Texans during times of disaster.

3) Review laws related to looting crimes. Examine whether current penalties and enhancements are sufficient to deter looting crimes during a disaster.

Witnesses testifying on the charges are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:50 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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Sean Opperman, Clerk