MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, March 2, 2023

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

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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 State Affairs was held on Thursday, March 2, 2023, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair	Senator José Menéndez
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Morgan LaMantia
Senator Mayes Middleton
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:08 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Mayes Middleton

The chair laid out SB 372 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute and Senator Huffman was recognized to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. With there being no verbal testimony registered, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 372 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 728 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute and Senator Huffman was recognized to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the bill as files. 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 Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute for SB 728, there being no objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 728 do not pass but that CSSB 728 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair brought up SB 372 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 372. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 372 do not pass but that CSSB 372 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 147 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

The Chair laid out SB 711 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

The Chair called the following individuals to provide invited testimony on SB 147 (see attached list).  Witnesses testifying and registering on the SB 147 and SB 711 are shown on the attached list.

At 10:35 AM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

At 11:50 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

At 1:47 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

At 2:13 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 147 and SB 711; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved that SB 147 and SB 711 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 3:20 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

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Taryn Taylor, Clerk