MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, March 23, 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 23, 2023, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	None
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Morgan LaMantia
Senator José Menéndez
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 9:10 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Brian Birdwell

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator Brian Birdwell

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Judith Zaffirini

Senator Charles Schwertner

Senator Charles Perry

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator José Menéndez

The Chair laid out SB 2087 and explained the bill. The Chair opened public testimony, and with no one registered, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2087 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:13 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 1649 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute, and the author was recognized to explain the difference in between the bill as filed and the committee substitute. 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 Paxton moved that SB 1649 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1373 and recognized Senator Parker, 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 Paxton moved that SB 1373 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1092 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, 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 Paxton moved that SB 1092 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 23 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute, and the author was recognized to explain the differences between the bill as filed and the committee substitute. 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 Hughes moved that SB 23 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 21 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. Senator Parker sent up a committee substitute, and the author was recognized to explain the differences between the bill as filed and the committee substitute. 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 Paxton moved that SB 21 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 20 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. Senator LaMantia sent up a committee substitute, and the author was recognized to explain the differences between the bill as filed and the committee substitute. 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 Paxton moved that SB 20 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1575 and recognized the author, 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 Paxton moved that SB 1575 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:00 PM Senator Paxton moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:21, Senator Hughes assumed the chair and reconvened the Senate Committee on State Affairs.

The Chair laid out SB 1909 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 Hughes moved that SB 1909 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1910 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 Hughes moved that SB 1910 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1927 and explained 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 Hughes moved that SB 1927 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 12 and explained the bill.

The Chair laid out SB 1601 and explained  the bill.

At 4:56 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

At 6:13 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The Chair opened public testimony on SB 12 and SB 1601. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 12 and SB 1601 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 7:05 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