MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, April 22, 2021

11:00 AM or upon adjournment

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 Thursday, April 22, 2021, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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

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Pursuant to a motion made by Senator Hughes to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Committee on State Affairs convened in the Senate Chamber. 

The chair called the meeting to order at 1:19 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 704 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 704 do not pass but that CSSB 704 be reported back 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. 

The chair laid out SB 838 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Schwertner moved 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. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Schwertner moved that SB 838 do not pass but that CSSB 838 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 1:24 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1572 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill. Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Paxton 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 public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.   Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1572 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1247 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill. Senator Hall moved that SB 1247 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 690 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

At 2:52 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hughes moved that SB 690 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved adoption of Motions in Writing; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 3:59 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