MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, April 15, 2021

8:30 AM

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 State Affairs was held on Thursday, April 15, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair		Senator Bob Hall
Senator Brian Birdwell, Vice Chair		Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Beverly Powell
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:34 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 285 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 285 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 286 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hughes moved that SB 286 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1761 and recognized Senator Campbell, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1761 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 62 and recognized Senator Campbell, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that SB 62 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:43 AM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1925 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1925 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2093 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 Schwertner moved that SB 2093 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:46 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 162 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill. Senator Powell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Blanco 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. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 162 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 8:55 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed 11:30 AM or upon adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to a motion made by Senator Hughes to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Committee on State Affairs reconvened in the Senate Chamber at 2:18 PM.

The chair laid out SB 825 as a matter of pending business. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 825 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 1311 as a matter of pending business. Senator Hall moved that SB 1311 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 1646 as a matter of pending business. Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1646 do not pass but that CSSB 1646 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 62 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 62 be reported favorably 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 285 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 285 be reported favorably 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 286 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 286 do not pass but that CSSB 286 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1761 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1761 be reported favorably 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1922 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1922 do not pass but that CSSB 1922 be reported back to the 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1178 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill. Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Birdwell moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1178 do not pass but that CSSB 1178 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 2:29 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2093 as a matter of pending business. Senator Hughes moved that the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2093 do not pass but that CSSB 2093 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 Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 567, in lieu of SB 190 which was previously left pending, and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that HB 567 be reported favorably 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 Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1925 as a matter of pending business. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1925 be reported favorably 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 Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:32 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The chair moved that Motions in Writing be accepted; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:33 PM 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