MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

8:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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 Criminal Justice was held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator John Whitmire, Chair	None
Senator Pete Flores, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Joan Huffman
Senator Phil King
Senator Borris Miles

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:32 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Bettencourt, Senator King, and Senator Miles.

The chair laid out SB 37 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

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

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

Senator Whitmire moved that SB 37 be reported favorably 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 0 absent.

Senator Whitmire moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 509 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry 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 Perry moved that CSSB 509 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered by the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business CSSB 1318.

 Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute for SB1318. The chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Flores moved that CSSB1318 be reported favorably 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 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt and Senator King submitted motions in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1318.

The chair laid out CSSB 1173 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the Senate bill as filed.

No witnesses registered or testified on CSSB1173. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved that SB1173 do not pass but that CSSB 1173 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1173

The chair laid out SB 467 and recognized the author, 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 Whitmire moved that SB 467 be reported favorably 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 0 absent. 

Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 947 and recognized the author, Senator King, 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 King moved that SB 947 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 129 and recognized the author, Senator Springer, 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 Whitmire moved that SB 129 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 432 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

No witnesses registered or testified on SB432 The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Whitmire moved that SB 432 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 465 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

 No witnesses registered or testified on SB465 The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Whitmire moved that SB 465 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 224 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, to explain the bill.

Senator Alvarado sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Alvarado to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Whitmire moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

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 Whitmire moved that SB 224 do not pass but that CSSB 224 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 0 absent.

At 10:30 AM Senator Flores assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1151 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, to explain the bill.

Senator Whitmire sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Whitmire to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Whitmire moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

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 Flores moved that SB 1151 do not pass but that CSSB 1151 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 0 absent.

Senator Whitmire resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:45 AM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator John Whitmire, Chair

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Juan Negrete, Clerk