MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Friday, May 21, 2021

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Friday, May 21, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair	Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Vice Chair	Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Paul Bettencourt	Senator Charles Perry
Senator Dawn Buckingham
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Joan Huffman
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Royce West
Senator John Whitmire

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair made opening remarks.

Senator Nichols moved that the witnesses who registered for HB 2 on May 20 be entered into the record for May 21. There was no objection.

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

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 Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  

Senator Nelson moved that HB 2 do not pass but that CSHB 2 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2896 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson.

Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute on HB 2896; without objection, it was so ordered.  

Senator Nelson moved that HB 2896 do not pass but that CSHB 2896 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Nelson requested that the bill be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

Senator Nelson resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3610.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 3610 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3702.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 3702 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Nelson 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 HB 3973 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nichols. 

Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute on HB 3973; without objection, it was so ordered.  

Senator Nichols moved that HB 3973 do not pass but that CSHB 3973 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Nelson 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 HJR 140.

Senator Nichols moved that HJR 140 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Bettencourt asked to be shown voting aye on any bills he was not present for at the time of voting.

Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 2, HB 2896, HB 3610, HB 3702, HB 3973 and HJR 140.

Senator Lucio submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 2, HB 2896, HB 3610, HB 3702 and HB 3973.

Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 2, HB 2896, HB 3610, HB 3702, HB 3973 and HJR 140.

There being no further business, at 10:38 AM Senator Nelson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk