MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Thursday, May 18, 2023

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Thursday, May 18, 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 9:12 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 4865 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator LaMantia, 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 Hinojosa assumed the char.

The chair laid out HB 630 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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 laid out HB 4041 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman 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.

The chair laid out HB 5409 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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 laid out HB 3461 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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 laid out HJR 2 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman 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.

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1058 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 

The chair laid out HB 4256 and recognized Senator Juan Hinojosa, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2779 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman 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.

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1613 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator 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 10:45 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to a motion made by Senator Huffman, to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Committee on Finance reconvened in the Senate Press Room, 2E.9, at 3:46 PM.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

Senator Huffman moved that HB 630 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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

Senator Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute for HB 2779; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved that HB 2779 do not pass but that CSHB 2779 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 16 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Huffman moved that HB 3461 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 Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute for HB 4041; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved that HB 4041 do not pass but that CSHB 4041 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 Huffman moved that HB 5409 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 Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute for HJR 2; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved that CSHJR 2 do not pass but that CSHJR 2 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 Huffman resumed the chair.

Senator Flores moved the adoption of the committee substitute for HB 1613; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Flores moved that HB 1613 do not pass but that CSHB 1613 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 16 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Hinojosa moved the adoption of the committee substitute for HB 4256; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 4256 do not pass but that CSHB 4256 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 16 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute for HB 1058; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that HB 1058 do not pass but that CSHB 1058 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 4520 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 16 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting nay on HB 1613.

Senator Whitmire submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 630, HB 1058, HB 1613, HB 2779, HB 3461, HB 4041, HB 4256, HB 5409 and HJR 2.

There being no further business, at 3:56 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