MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 4, 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, May 4, 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 9:08 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair laid out and explained HB 1255. The Chair opens 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 HB 1255 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out and explained HB 2384. 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 HB 2384 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 2620 and recognized the author, Senator Springer, to explain the bill. The Chair opens 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 2620 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1712 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Alvarado to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. The Chair opens 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 HB 1712 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1760 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill. The Chair opens 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 HB 1760 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2015 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Hughes moved that HB 2015 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 242 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. The Chair opens 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 HB 242 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 609 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 609 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2007 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 2007 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. Senator Hughes explained the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 10:06 AM Senator Parker assumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Parker moved that HB 4 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:22 AM Senator Parker moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. 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 after adjournment of the Senate.

At 3:31 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 242. Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 242 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 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 HB 609. Senator Middleton moved that HB 609 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 HB 1712. Senator Menéndez moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Menéndez moved that HB 1712 do not pass but that CSHB 1712 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 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 HB 2007. Senator Parker moved that HB 2007 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 HB 2015. Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 2015 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 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 SB 2620. Senator Parker moved that SB 2620 do not pass but that CSSB 2620 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 Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:37 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that HB 4 do not pass but that CSHB 4 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.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1255. Senator Hughes moved that HB 1255 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 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 HB 1760. Senator Hughes moved that HB 1760 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, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2384. Senator Hughes moved that HB 2384 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 Hughes moved that HB 2384 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:41 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 3:42 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