MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, April 22, 2021

11:00 AM or upon adjournment/recess

Press 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 Business & Commerce was held on Thursday, April 22, 2021, in the Press Room at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 12:30 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1065, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Alvarado. Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1065 do not pass but that the committee substitute to SB 1065 do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nichols moved that CSSB 1065 be recommended to the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1225, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Huffman. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1225 be reported back to the full 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 Nichols moved that SB 1225 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1296, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Johnson. Senator Johnson moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson moved that SB 1296 do not pass but that the committee substitute to SB 1296 do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Johnson moved that SB 1296 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1538, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Menendez. Senator Menendez sent up the committee substitute. The chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Menendez moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Menendez moved that SB 1538 do not pass but that the committee substitute to SB 1538 do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out 1602, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Taylor. Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1602 do not pass but that the committee substitute to SB 1602 do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 2124, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Blanco. Senator Nichols moved that SB 2124 be reported back to the full 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 Nichols moved that SB 2124 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was ordered.

The chair laid out HB 735 in lieu of SB 1080 by Senator Campbell. Senator Campbell moved that HB 735 be reported back to the full 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 Campbell moved that HB 735 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1787 in lieu of SB 1170 by Senator Menendez. Senator Nichols moved that HB 1787 be reported back to the full 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 Nichols moved that HB 1787 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 16, in lieu of SB 1279 by Senator Hancock. Senator Hancock sent up the committee substitute. The chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that HB 16 do not pass but that the committee substitute to HB 16 do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hancock moved that HB 16 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1755, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hancock. Senator Hancock moved that HB 1755 be reported back to the full 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 Hancock moved that HB 1755 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2005, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hancock. Senator Hancock moved that HB 2005 be reported back to the full 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 Hancock moved that HB 2005 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair moved to reconsider the vote on CSSB 1602. Without objection, the motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Nichols moved that CSB 1602 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1089, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Buckingham. Senator Campbell moved SB 1089 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

There being no business to come before the committee, the chair moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

A Motion in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye was submitted by the following: Senator Whitmire on SB 1602, HB 16, HB 735, HB 1755, HB 1787, HB 2005; Senator Schwertner on SB 1065, SB 1225, SB 1296, SB 1538, SB 1602, SB 2124, HB 735, HB 1787. A Motion in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay was submitted by the following: Senator Whitmire on SB 1089. These votes are reflected in the final vote on the aforementioned bills.

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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

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Kennedy Calvo, Clerk