MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER SECURITY

Thursday, May 18, 2023

8:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

*****

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, May 18, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	None
Senator Pete Flores, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Phil King

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

The chair laid out HB 4337 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Juan Hinojosa, to explain the bill. 

Witnesses registered 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 HB 4337 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 800 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Pete Flores, 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 Birdwell moved that HB 800 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4635 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Pete Flores, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Flores to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house 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.

At 9:08 AM Senator Flores assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 7 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.

At 10:02 AM Senator Blanco assumed the chair.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Blanco moved that HB 7 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:48 AM Senator Blanco moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:04 PM Senator Birdwell reconvened the meeting.

At 9:05 PM Senator Flores assumed the chair.

Testimony on HB 7 resumed at 9:05.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Flores moved that HB 7 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:22 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 800.

Senator Flores moved that HB 800 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4635.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute. Senator Flores moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Flores moved that HB 4635 do not pass but that CSHB 4635 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Flores moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4337.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 4337 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:26 PM Senator Flores assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 7.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute.  Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 7 do not pass but that CSHB 7 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

At 9:23 PM Senator Birdwell resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 9:28 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

__________________________________________

Jennifer Trevino, Clerk