MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Wednesday, April 12th, 2023

2:00 PM or upon adjournment

E1.004 (Extension Auditorium)

 

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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 Local Government was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in E1.004 (Extension Auditorium).

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

 

None

Senator Drew Springer, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Sarah Eckhardt

Senator Roland Gutierrez

 

 

Senator Bob Hall

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

Senator Tan Parker

 

 

Senator Angela Paxton

 

 

Senator Royce West

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:51 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the meeting was called to order:

Senator Hall

Senator Gutierrez

Senator Nichols

Senator Parker

Senator Paxton

Senator West

At 3:52 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair and Senator Springer resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 199 and recognized the author, Senator Eckhardt, 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 Springer moved that SB 199 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1278 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Eckhardt sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt 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 Springer moved that SB 1278 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 805 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, 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 Springer moved that SB 805 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The committee stood at ease at 4:18 PM.

 

At 4:30 PM Senator Springer reconvened the meeting.

 

At 5:57 PM Senator Springer assumed the chair and Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

At 6:29 PM Senator Nichols assumed the chair and Senator Springer resumed the chair.

 

Roll was called at 6:31 PM by Senator Bettencourt.

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Parker

Senator Paxton

 

The chair laid out SB 539 and recognized Senator Springer to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Springer moved that SB 539 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 561 and recognized Senator Nichols to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Nichols moved that SB 539 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

 

Senator Eckhardt called for SB 561 to be reconsidered.

 

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 561 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out the committee substitute for SB 572 and recognized Senator Springer to adopt the committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Springer to lay out the substitute for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Springer moved that the committee substitute for SB 572 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out the committee substitute for SB 1124 and recognized Senator Springer to adopt the committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Springer to lay out the substitute for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Springer moved that the committee substitute for SB 1124 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed.

 

The chair laid out the committee substitute for SB 1181 and recognized Senator West to adopt the committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator West to lay out the substitute for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator West moved that the committee substitute for SB 1181 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out the committee substitute for SB 1226 and recognized Senator Springer to adopt the committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Springer to lay out the substitute for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Springer moved that the committee substitute for SB 1226 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1803 and recognized Senator Nichols to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1803 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1923 and recognized Senator Nichols to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1923 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

 

The chair laid out SB 2053 and recognized Senator Parker to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Parker moved that SB 2053 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Springer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 6:41 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair and Senator Springer resume the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1252 and recognized Senator Nichols to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1252 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

 

The chair laid out SB 1814 and recognized Senator Nichols to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1814 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1998 and recognized Senator Nichols to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1998  be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1999 and recognized Senator Nichols to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1999 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

 

Senator West called for SB 1999 to be reconsidered.

 

Senator Springer moved that SB 1999 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 6:50 PM Senator Springer assumed the chair and Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1804 and recognized the author, Senator Springer, 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.

 

At 7:01 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair and Senator West resumed the chair.

 

Senator West moved that SB 1804 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1130 and recognized the author, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.

Senator West 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 West moved that SB 1130 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 7:14 PM Senator West assumed the chair and Senator Springer resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 369 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

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

 

At 7:34 PM Senator Springer assumed the chair and Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

 

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 369 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Eckhardt called for the vote for SB 1803 be reconsidered.

 

The chair laid out SB 494 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 494 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 560 and recognized the author, Senator Springer, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Springer 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 560 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2566 and recognized Senator Eckhardt, in the absence of the author, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 2566 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Eckhardt made a motion to vote SB 2566 out of committee.

The chair laid out SB 2566 and recognized Senator Eckhardt to lay out the bill for a vote. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Eckhardt moved that SB 2566  be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1925 and recognized the author, Senator Springer, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Springer 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1925 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 9:24 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

 

 

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Marissa Pryor, Clerk