MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Thursday, October 17, 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 Thursday, October 17, 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 Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator José Menéndez |
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Senator Morgan LaMantia |
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Senator Charles Perry |
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Senator Mayes Middleton |
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Senator Judith Zaffirini |
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Senator Tan Parker |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:07 AM. The following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Paxton.
The Chair laid out the following interim committee charge:
Beverages with THC: Evaluate Texas laws and regulations concerning THC beverage manufacturing and delivery. Report on the current regulations and safeguards Texas may or may not have in place for drinks with any amount of THC. Recommend legislation to protect Texas consumers.
The following individuals provided invited and public testimony: (see attached list).
The Chair laid out the following interim committee charge:
Responsible Investing: Study the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors on our state’s public pensions, with a focus on proxy voting services. Make recommendations to ensure our state’s pension systems vote and invest in accordance with their fiduciary responsibility to maximize profit. Additionally, monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 13, 87th Legislature, relating to state contracts with and investments in certain companies that boycott energy companies. Specifically, examine how a company is removed from the list of companies that boycott energy companies when the company ceases to boycott energy companies. Report on how frequently the list maintained by the comptroller is updated and make recommendations to ensure an ongoing accurate list.
The following individuals provided invited and public testimony: (see attached list).
The Chair laid out the following interim committee charge:
Social Media & Protecting Children: Study the impact of social media use on children. Review current mechanisms in place to protect minors online. Monitor the implementation of House Bill 18, 88th Legislature, relating to the protection of minors from harmful, deceptive, or unfair trade practices in connection with the use of certain digital services and electronic devices, including the use and transfer of electronic devices to students by a public school. Make policy recommendations to further protect Texas children online.
The following individuals provided invited and public testimony: (see attached list).
At 2:32 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.
At 2:52 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.
There being no further business, at 4:07 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