MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Friday, May 19, 2023

9:00 AM

E1.004 (Auditorium)

*****

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 Friday, May 19, 2023, in the E1.004 (Auditorium).

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair	Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Drew Springer, Vice Chair
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Royce West

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Members arriving after the chair gaveled in:

Senator Springer, Vice Chair

Senator Eckhardt

Senator Hall

Senator Gutierrez

Senator Parker

Senator West

The chair laid out HB 581 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 581 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1248 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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 HB 1248 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2533 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2533 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4645 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 4645 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 5405 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

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

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 5405 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3097 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Middleton, 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 HB 3097 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2181 and recognized Senator Hall, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2181 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 783 and recognized Senator Hall, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 783 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hall was recognized for a motion to present the committee substitute for HB 1916.

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

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 1916 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1228 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 1228 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3191 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 3191 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3207 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Springer, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 3207 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:45 AM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair and Senator Springer resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3613 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Springer moved that HB 3613 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4158 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Springer moved that HB 4158 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4556 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Springer moved that HB 4556 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4082 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 4082 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 191 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, 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 HB 191 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3849 and recognized Senator Parker, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3849 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Roll call was taken.

Members absent at roll call:

Senator Bettencourt, Chair

Senator Hall

Senator Nichols

Senator West

The chair laid out HB 2816 and recognized Senator Parker, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2816 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4227 and recognized Senator Parker, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Springer moved that HB 4227 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:26 AM Senator Springer moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:17 PM Senator Bettencourt reconvened the meeting in the Betty King Room.

Members present:

Senator Bettencourt, Chair

Senator Springer, Vice Chair

Senator Eckhardt

Senator Hall

Senator Nichols

Senator Parker

Senator Paxton

Members absent:

Senator Gutierrez

Senator West

Members arriving after the chair gaveled in:

Senator Nichols

The chair laid out HB 5160 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill. 

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 5160 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:19 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair and Senator Parker resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 14 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Parker moved that HB 14 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:21 PM Senator Parker assumed the chair and Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 5322 and recognized Senator Hall, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was opened, but no testimony was taken.

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

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 5322 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The committee stood at ease at 1:22 PM.

At 1:30 PM Senator Bettencourt reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 783.

Senator Eckhardt moved that HB 783 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Eckhardt 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 866.

Senator Springer moved that HB 866 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1228.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 1228 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called 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 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 2816.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 2816 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called 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 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 2878.

Senator Hall moved that HB 2878 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Hall 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 3097.

Senator Springer moved that HB 3097 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called 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 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 3191.

Senator Parker moved that HB 3191 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Parker 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 3207.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 3207 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called 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 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 3849.

Senator Springer moved that HB 3849 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called 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 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 4227.

Senator Parker moved that HB 4227 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Parker 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 4645.

Senator Paxton moved that HB 4645 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 5322.

Senator Springer moved that HB 5322 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called 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 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 5372.

Senator Nichols moved to adopt the committee substitute for HB 5372.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 5372 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 called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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 as a matter of pending business HB 5405.

Senator Eckhardt moved to adopt the committee substitute for HB 5405.

Senator Eckhardt moved that HB 5405 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 called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Eckhardt 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 2488.

Senator Springer moved to adopt the committee substitute for HB 2488.

Senator Springer moved that HB 2488 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 called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

At 1:43 PM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair and Senator Springer resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 14.

Senator Hall moved that HB 14 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2730.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 2730 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

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 as a matter of pending business HB 3613.

Senator Paxton moved that HB 3613 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Paxton 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 3899.

Senator Parker moved that HB 3899 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Parker 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 4082.

Senator Parker moved that HB 4082 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4158.

Senator Hall moved that HB 4158 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Hall 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 4456.

Senator Hall moved that HB 4456 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The chair called for a vote - the motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

At 1:48 PM Senator Springer assumed the chair and Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

Senator Paxton motioned to have a motion in writing submitted voting “aye” for all bills voted on.

There being no further business, at 1:48 PM Senator Springer moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

__________________________________________

Marissa Pryor, Clerk