The House Committee on State Affairs

88th Legislature

October 19, 2023

10:30 a.m. or upon final adjourn./recess or bill referral if permission granted

E2.016

Pursuant to a notice posted on October 17, 2023, and permission granted on October 16, 2023 and October 19, 2023, to meet while the House was in session, the House Committee on State Affairs met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Hunter, at 10:43 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Hunter; Anchía; Dean; Geren; Guillen; Metcalf; Raymond; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller; Thompson, Senfronia; and Turner.

A quorum was present.

SB 4

The chair laid out SB 4 as pending business.

Representative Slawson moved that SB 4, without amendments, be reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following record vote:

Ayes:                           Representatives Hunter; Dean; Geren; Guillen; Metcalf; Raymond; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller (9).

Nays:                           Representatives Anchía; Thompson, Senfronia; Turner (3).

Present, Not Voting:   None (0).

Absent:                        Representative Hernandez (1).

SB 7

The chair laid out SB 7 as pending business.

Representative Metcalf offered a complete committee substitute.

The committee substitute was adopted without objection.

Representative Dean moved that SB 7, as substituted, be reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following record vote:

Ayes:                           Representatives Hunter; Dean; Geren; Guillen; Metcalf; Raymond; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller (9).

Nays:                           Representatives Anchía; Thompson, Senfronia; Turner (3).

Present, Not Voting:   None (0).

Absent:                        Representative Hernandez (1).

The committee met to hear invited testimony only on the Special Session agenda item relating to legislation concerning public safety, security, environmental quality, and property ownership in areas like the Colony Ridge development in Liberty County, Texas.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Hernandez now present.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

HB 4

The chair laid out HB 4.

The chair recognized Representative Spiller to explain HB 4.

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The chair recognized Representative Spiller to close on HB 4.

Representative Geren moved that HB 4, without amendments, be reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following record vote:

Ayes:                           Representatives Hunter; Dean; Geren; Guillen; Metcalf; Slawson; Smithee; Spiller (8).

Nays:                           Representatives Hernandez; Thompson, Senfronia; Turner (3).

Present, Not Voting:   None (0).

Absent:                        Representatives Anchía; Raymond (2).

At 4:11 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Hunter, Chair

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Ginny Holloway, Clerk