MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

2:00 PM or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 Local Government was held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair	Senator Bob Hall
Senator José Menéndez, Vice Chair	Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Sarah Eckhardt	Senator Judith Zaffirini
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Drew Springer

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The chair called the meeting to order at 2:45 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 639 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Schwertner 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  the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 639 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4663 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

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

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4663 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3971 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 3971 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4605 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4605 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4609 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

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

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4609 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4638 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

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

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4638 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1225 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. 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  the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 1225 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2272 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 2272 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2091 and recognized Senator Springer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 2091 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3034 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 3034 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4667 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Gutierrez, to explain the bill.

Senator Gutierrez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Gutierrez 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  the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4667 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1558 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nathan Johnson, to explain the bill.

Senator Gutierrez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Nathan Johnson 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  the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 1558 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2535 and recognized Senator Springer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 2535 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2314 and recognized Senator Springer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 2314 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4356 and recognized Senator Springer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4356 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4592 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.
No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4592 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4634 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4634 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4635 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered and testified on the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 4635 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 466.

Senator Springer moved  HB 466 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  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 988.

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

Senator Springer moved  HB 988 do not pass but  CSHB 988 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  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 1301.

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

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 1301 do not pass but  CSHB 1301 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1410, the companion bill to SB 1959- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

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

Senator Springer moved  HB 1410 do not pass but  CSHB 1410 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  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 1456.

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

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 1456 do not pass but  CSHB 1456 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  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 1554.

Senator Springer moved  HB 1554 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1564, the companion bill to SB 856- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 1564 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  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 SB 1886.

Senator Menéndez moved  SB 1886 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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.

The chair laid out HB 2073, the companion bill to SB 1401- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

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

Senator Springer moved  HB 2073 do not pass but  CSHB 2073 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  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 2382.

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

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 2382 do not pass but  CSHB 2382 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  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 2835.

Senator Springer moved  HB 2835 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  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 3402.

Senator Paxton moved  HB 3402 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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  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 3415.

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

Senator Paxton moved  HB 3415 do not pass but  CSHB 3415 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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  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 3833.

Senator Springer moved  HB 3833 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  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 4245.

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

Senator Gutierrez moved  HB 4245 do not pass but  CSHB 4245 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Gutierrez moved  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 4374 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill.

Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Menéndez 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  the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 4374 do not pass but  CSHB 4374 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  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 4580.

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

Senator Springer moved  HB 4580 do not pass but  CSHB 4580 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4617, the companion bill to SB 2143- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

Senator Paxton moved  HB 4617 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4641, the companion bill to SB 2236- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

Senator Paxton moved  HB 4641 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4652, the companion bill to SB 2235- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

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

Senator Springer moved  HB 4652 do not pass but  CSHB 4652 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Springer moved  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4659, the companion bill to SB 2228- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

Senator Menéndez moved that HB 4659 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 3 absent.

Senator Menéndez 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 4662.

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 4662 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  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 3135.

Senator Eckhardt moved  HB 3135 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Eckhardt moved  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 2272.

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 2272 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2027, the companion bill to HB 1565- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

Senator Menéndez moved  HB 2027 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Menéndez moved  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:20 PM Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1278.

Senator Bettencourt moved  HB 1278 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent.

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

At 4:22 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4667.

Senator Gutierrez sent up a committee substitute.  Senator Gutierrez moved  the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Gutierrez moved  HB 4667 do not pass but  CSHB 4667 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  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 Gutierrez moved  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4654, the companion bill to SB 2234- which was heard in a previous hearing and left pending.

Senator Paxton moved  HB 4654 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation  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  the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:31 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

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Sydney Suss, Clerk