MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, April 20, 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, April 20, 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 Paul Bettencourt
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 10:16 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Angela Paxton

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Morgan LaMantia

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator Tan Parker

Senator Charles Schwertner

Senator Judith Zaffirini

The Chair laid out SCR 44 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 SCR 44 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2142 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 2142 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 552 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Campbell to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hughes moved that SB 552 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:45 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to the suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, and adopted by the Senate. Senator Hughes reconvened  the Senate Committee on State Affairs at his desk at 5:03 PM. A quorum was established.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 252. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Alvarado to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Menéndez moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 252 do not pass but that CSSB 252 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 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 1624. Senator Zaffirini moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1624 do not pass but that CSSB 1624 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 Zaffirini 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 SCR 44. Senator Middleton moved that SCR 44 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 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 2142.Senator Parker moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Parker moved that SB 2142 do not pass but that CSSB 2142 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 Parker moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:23 PM, the Senate Committee on State Affairs reconvened in the Senate Chamber.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 552. 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 552 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Motion in writing received from Senator LaMantia.

There being no further business, at 6:15 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