MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 15, 2021

9:00 AM

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, March 15, 2021, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair		None
Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:09 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Donna Campbell.

The following pending business was considered by the Committee.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute on SB 157. The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 157 do not pass but that CSSB 157 be reported back to the 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 Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 155 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Campbell submitted a Motion in Writing to reflect an aye vote.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 26 do not pass but that CSSB 26 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Birdwell moved that SJR 27 do not pass but that CSSJR 27 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 156 be reported favorably to the 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 Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 270 be reported favorably to the 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 Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 231 be reported favorably to the 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 Birdwell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 247 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 45 be reported favorably to the 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nelson moved that SB 198 be reported favorably to the 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 Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:19 AM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 12 do not pass but that CSSB 12 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 798 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 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 Hughes moved that SB 798 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 30 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 30 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:43 AM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 808 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 808 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 8 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hughes moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 8 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:35 AM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:01 PM Senator Birdwell reconvened the meeting.

At 2:11 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 394 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 2:22 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 394 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1173 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1173 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 9 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill. Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Paxton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Nelson moved that the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 9 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered

At 3:23 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 3:23 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until 4:00 PM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:23 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 802 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 802 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1647 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill. Senator Campbell sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Campbell requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1647 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 650 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill. 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 Hughes moved that SB 650 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:41 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

At 10:37 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 8, SB 9, SB 394, SB 802, SB 1173 and SB 1647; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 12:03 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

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Courtney Smith, Clerk