MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, April 27, 2023

8:30 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, April 27, 2023, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair
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 8:38 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Charles Perry

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator Judith Zaffirini

The Chair laid out SB 232 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The Chair opened public testimony, and with no one being registers to testify, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Birdwell moved that SB 232 do not pass but that CSSB 232 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 and explained SB 1979. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. Senator Hughes was recognized 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 1979 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:16 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hughes moved to suspend Senate Rule 11.10, 11.13, 11.18, and all other necessary rules to reconvene in the Senate Press Room, 2E.9 during the Senate session.

At 1:42 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

At 1:43 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1979. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1979 do not pass but that CSSB 1979 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent. Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:44 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

Motions in writing received from Senators Middleton, Zaffirini, and Schwertner.

There being no further business, at 1:45 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