MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, April 3, 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 Monday, April 3, 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 9:50 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

Senator José Menéndez

The Chair laid out SB 1556 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 Hughes moved that SB 1556 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1711 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Perry 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 10:11 AM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1711 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2186 and recognized the author, 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 Paxton moved that SB 2186 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 252 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Alvarado 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 252 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1678 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Menéndez 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 1678 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1512 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

The Chair opened public testimony, and with no one being registered to testify, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1512 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1513 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. The Chair opened public testimony, and with no one being registered to testify, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1513 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2284 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Middleton 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 2284 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1893 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The Chair opened public testimony, and with no one being registered to testify, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 1893 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1097 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Parker 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 1097 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1375 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 1375 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 926 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill. The Chair opened public testimony, and with no one being registered to testify, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Paxton moved that SB 926 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 11:27 AM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out SB 417 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Paxton 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.

At 12:07 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 417 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2021 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Paxton 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 2021 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 60 and recognized Senator Hughes, in the absence of the author, 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. 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 60 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 998 and recognized Senator Hughes, in the absence of the author, 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. The Chair opened public testimony, and with no one being registered to testify, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 998 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2275 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 2275 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1725 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 1725 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:27 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:21 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting..

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2451 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill. The Chair moved to reconsider the vote on SB 2451; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Menéndez moved that SB 2451 do not pass but that CSSB 2451 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 Menéndez 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 1768.Senator Parker moved that SB 1768 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 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 SB 1846. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1846 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 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 220. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 220 do not pass but that CSSB 220 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 823. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 823 do not pass but that CSSB 823 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 1750. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1750 do not pass but that CSSB 1750 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 1933. Senator Bettencourt moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1933 do not pass but that CSSB 1933 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 946. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 946 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 1993. Senator Middleton moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that SB 1993 do not pass but that CSSB 1993 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.

At 5:33 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1600.Senator Hughes moved that SB 1600 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 1599. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1599 do not pass but that CSSB 1599 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. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 70.

At 5:35 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 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SJR 70 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1281 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 1281 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 6:22 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

Motions in Writings were received from  Senator Middleton, Senator Zaffirini, Senator Perry, and Senator Birdwell.