MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Friday, May 21, 2021

5:30 PM or upon adjournment/recess

Conference Room

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Friday, May 21, 2021, in the Conference Room at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 2998 by Senate Sponsor, Senator Taylor, and recognized Senator Campbell to explain the bill. The chair opened up public testimony on HB 2998. The chair closed public testimony. Senator Campbell moved that HB 2998 be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Campbell moved that HB 2998 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1852, as a matter of pending business., by Senator Alvarado. Senator Campbell moved that HB 1852 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 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Campbell moved that HB 1852 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1993, as a matter of pending business., by Senator Hughes. Senator Campbell moved that HB 1993 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 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Campbell moved that HB 1993 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Paxton moved to reconsider the vote on HB 3617 by Senator Zaffirini. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3271, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Blanco. Senator Paxton moved that HB 3271 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 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Paxton moved that HB 3271 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Paxton moved adoption of the committee substitute for HB 3617. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that HB 3617 do not pass but that the committee substitute do pass and be recommended to the full senate. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3131, as a matter of pending business, by Senator Hancock. Senator Hancock moved that HB 3131 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 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Hancock moved that HB 3131 be recommended for the Local & Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

There being no further business, the committee stood in recess subject to the call of the chair.

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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

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Kennedy Calvo, Clerk