MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, March 30, 2023

9:30 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 30, 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 9:36 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senators Paxton, Birdwell, Perry, Schwertner, Menéndez, Zaffirini, Middleton, Bettencourt, and Parker

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chair laid out SB 950 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the differences 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 Hughes moved that SB 950 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 260 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 260 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 946 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes moved that SB 946 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 10:37am Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:29 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 946. 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 946 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2451 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 2451 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2451. The Chair moved to reopen public testimony. 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 2451 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1070 and recognized the author, 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 Hughes moved that SB 1070 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2532 and explained the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2532 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 220 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

At 3:06 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

 

At 3:52 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony on SB 220 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 220 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1820. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1820 do not pass but that CSSB 1820 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt 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 SB 1907. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1907 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chair laid out SB 975 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry moved that SB 975 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Perry 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 SB 477. Senator Menéndez moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Menéndez moved that SB 477 do not pass but that CSSB 477 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt 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 SB 924. Senator Schwertner moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 924 do not pass but that CSSB 924 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 990. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 990 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1039. Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 1039 do not pass but that CSSB 1039 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1054. Senator Perry moved that SB 1054 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1705. Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that SB 1705 do not pass but that CSSB 1705 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1807. Senator Birdwell moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 1807 do not pass but that CSSB 1807 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1911. Senator Paxton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1911 do not pass but that CSSB 1911 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1938. Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 1938 do not pass but that CSSB 1938 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1950. Senator Schwertner moved that SB 1950 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 260. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 260 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 950.Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that SB 950 do not pass but that CSSB 950 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2451. Senator Perry moved that SB 2451 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 4:16 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1060. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1060 do not pass but that CSSB 1060 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 694. Senator Hughes moved that SB 694 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1661 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1661 do not pass but that CSSB 1661 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Hughes 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 SB 1070. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1070 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

At 4:22 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 220. Senator Hughes moved that SB 220 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 823 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.

 

 At 5:03 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

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 823 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1933 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill. Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the differences 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 Paxton moved that SB 1933 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1750 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the differences 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 Paxton moved that SB 1750 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2071 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

 

At 5:58 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that the public testimony on SB 2071 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 2071 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2433 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes 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 Hughes moved that SB 2433 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1768 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, 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 Hughes moved that SB 1768 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1846 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, 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 Hughes moved that SB 1846 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1993 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 Hughes moved that SB 1993 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1600 and recognized the author, 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 Hughes moved that SB 1600 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1599 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes 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 Hughes moved that SB 1599 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 7:26 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