MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, April 18, 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, April 18, 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 8:33 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

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

The chair laid out SB 2479 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 2479 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 435 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Middleton 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 Huffman moved that SB 435 do not pass but that CSSB 435 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 Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB435

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

The chair laid out SB 840 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 Huffman moved that SB 840 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 and Senator King submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB840

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

The chair laid out SB 726 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 Huffman moved that SB 726 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 submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB726.

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

The chair laid out SB 2134 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, to explain the bill.

Senator Whitmire sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Miles 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 2134 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2593 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 King moved that SB 2593 be reported favorably 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 Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay on SB2593.

The chair laid out SB 2589 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 2589 be reported favorably 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 Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay on SB2589.

The chair laid out SB 760 and recognized the author, Senator LaMantia, 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 760 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 Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB760.

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

The chair laid out SB 1248 and recognized the author, Senator Flores, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Flores 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 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1248 do not pass but that CSSB 1248 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 Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB1248.

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

The chair laid out SB 1969 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 Huffman moved that SB 1969 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 Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB1969.

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

The chair laid out SB 1433 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Flores sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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 1433 do not pass but that CSSB 1433 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 Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on SB1433

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

The chair laid out SB 1516 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 Huffman moved that SB 1516 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 Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:52 AM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator John Whitmire, Chair

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Juan Negrete, Clerk