MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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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 Finance was held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	None
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:13 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 3 and SJR 3 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bills.

Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute to SB 3.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

The chair laid out SB 4 and SJR 4 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bills.

The chair laid out SB 5 and SJR 2 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bills.

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

At 10:48 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand in recess.

At 2:20 PM the Committee reconvened.

Testimony continued on the bills laid out. 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

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

Senator Hinojosa moved that the Committee stand in recess until 3:45 PM.

At 3:46 PM the Committee reconvened.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 341 by Senator Springer.

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 341 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 17 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.

Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute to SB 3; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 3 do not pass but that CSSB 3 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 17 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 4 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 17 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hancock submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 341.

Senator Hughes submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 3, SB 4 and SB 341.

Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 3, SB 4 and SB 341. 

Senator Paxton submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 3, SB 4 and SB 341. 

Senator Perry submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 3, SB 4 and SB 341. 

Senator Zaffirini submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 3, SB 4 and SB 341. 

There being no further business, at 3:50 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk