MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

8:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	None
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Nathan Johnson
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Judith Zaffirini

*****

The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:33 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Creighton, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Nichols.

Senator King assumed the chair.

Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, and all other necessary rules were suspended to add SB 2627 and SJR 93 to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce posting for May 2, 2023.

The Chair laid out SB 2627 and SJR 93 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bills. 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 Kolkhorst moved that SB 2627 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SJR 93 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out CSSB 1621 by Senator Kolkhorst as a matter of pending business. Senator

Kolkhorst moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the April

18, 2023 Hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst sent up a new committee substitute to SB 1621. The Chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. The Chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1621 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out HB 3290 by Representative Guillen in lieu of CSSB 1858 by Senator Hancock as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that HB 3290 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SCR 25 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, 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. The Chair moved that

SCR 25 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1748 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill. Individuals 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. The Chair moved that HB 1748 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1550 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, to explain the bill. Individuals 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. The Chair moved that HB 1550 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1074 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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. The Chair moved that HB 1074 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1900 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Senator Kolkhorst sent up the committee substitute to HB 1900. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as engrossed. The Chair moved 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 the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that CSHB 1900 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1901 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. Individuals 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. The Chair moved that HB 1901 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 833 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill.

Senator King sent up the committee substitute to SB 833. The Chair recognized the author to

explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. The Chair moved

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 the public

testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that CSSB 833 be

left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 1706 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. Senator Schwertner sent up the committee substitute to HB 1706. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as engrossed. 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. The Chair moved that CSHB 1706 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:51 AM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

__________________________________________

Annika Vandayar, Clerk