MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
9:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
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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 Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair |
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Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair |
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Senator José Menéndez |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Mayes Middleton |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator Tan Parker |
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Senator Morgan LaMantia |
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Senator Judith Zaffirini |
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Senator Charles Perry |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. The following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Menendez.
The Chair laid out the following interim committee charge:
Addressing Homelessness: Study programs that address the homelessness crisis in Texas. Specifically, review programs like Haven for Hope and determine whether such programs could be a model throughout our state. Propose legislation to address the root causes of homelessness by expanding successful programs for cities of all sizes.
At 11:57 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
At 12:01 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
The following individuals provided invited and public testimony (see attached witness list).
At 2:40 PM the Chair recessed the committee.
At 3:21 PM the Chair reconvened the committee.
The Chair laid out the following interim committee charge:
Public Trust in Government: Examine the current state of accountability, ethics, and transparency in local government. Recommend ways to bolster public trust in local government by strengthening the Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act.
The following individuals provided invited and public testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair laid out the following interim committee charge:
Impeachment Reform: Evaluate the constitutional and statutory impeachment procedures in our state. Make recommendations to ensure a fair and transparent process.
The following individuals provided invited and public testimony (see attached witness list).
The Chair laid out the following interim committee charge:
Lottery: Study “lottery courier services,” which allow their clients to purchase lottery tickets over the internet. Report on the number of couriers and the magnitude of sales from such services in Texas. Determine whether courier services are operating legally in Texas and whether a change in law is needed to respond to technological advancements to protect children in our state and to maintain original legislative intent. Recommend legislation to clarify Texas’s laws regarding online lottery sales.
The following individuals provided invited and public testimony (see attached witness list).
There being no further business, at 6:10 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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Victoria Ross, Clerk