MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER SECURITY

Thursday, March 16, 2023

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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 Border Security was held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Phil King
Senator Pete Flores, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Juan Hinojosa

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

Chairman Birdwell called the following representative to provide invited testimony on the following agency: The Honorable Ken Paxton, the Office of the Attorney General (see attached witness list). 

The chair laid out SB 423 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores 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 the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 423 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 617 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores 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 Birdwell moved that SB 617 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1133 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores 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 Birdwell moved that SB 1133 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:54 AM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:34 PM Senator Birdwell reconvened the meeting.

At 12:34 PM Senator Flores assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 602 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute.

The chair recognized Senator Birdwell 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 Flores moved that SB 602 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:32 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 1:33 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

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Shelby Sterling, Clerk