MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 11, 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 11, 2023, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair	Senator José Menéndez
Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Morgan LaMantia
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 9:04 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Paul Bettencourt

Senator Brian Birdwell

Senator Morgan LaMantia

Senator Mayes Middleton

Senator Tan Parker

Senator Charles Perry

Senator Charles Schwertner

Senator Judith Zaffirini

The Chair laid out HB 17 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 17 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3223 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3223 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 5010 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hall, 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 5010 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 103 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sparks, 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 103 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2636 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Pete Flores, 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 2636 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4085 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 10:17 AM Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

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

Senator Schwertner moved that HB 4085 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1759 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 10:34 AM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that HB 1759 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 527 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the differences between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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 527 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:48 AM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, and all other necessary rules were suspended to add HB 3956 to the Senate Committee on State Affairs posting for May 10, 2023.

At 5:28 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

The Chair laid out HB 558 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 558 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2138 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Bettencourt, 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 2138 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 357 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.

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

The Chair laid out HB 3297 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 3297 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1631 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 1631 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1632 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 Middleton moved that HB 1632 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 4218 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 4218 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 3956 and recognized Senator Middleton, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 3956 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 6:55 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