MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

8:00 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 Health & Human Services was held on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair	None
Senator Charles Perry, Vice Chair
Senator César Blanco
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Morgan LaMantia Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1137 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Blanco sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1137 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1137 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 624 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 624 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1220 and recognized Senator Blanco, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1220 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1220 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 728 and recognized Senator Perry, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on HB 728 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 728 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 842 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 842 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1150 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1150 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1150 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 793 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 793 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1723 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1723 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1723 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2548 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

 The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 2548 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 2548 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1285 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Johnson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1285 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1285 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1619 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1619 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1619 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 9:52 AM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 2086 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Senator Perry moved that SB 2086 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:05 AM Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1871 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

Senator Hughes sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1871 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1871 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:34 AM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 49.

Senator Hughes moved that HB 49 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hancock and Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 49. Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 446.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 446 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hancock and Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on HB 446. Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1853.

Senator Kolkhorst sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1853 do not pass but that CSSB 1853 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hancock and Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1853.

At 10:38 AM Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1677.

Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 1677 do not pass but that CSSB 1677 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hancock and Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1677. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1781.

The chair moved to withdraw the committee substitute considered at the April 12, 2023 hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes sent up a new committee substitute, and the chair recognized Senator Hughes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hughes moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 1781 do not pass but that CSSB 1781 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Hancock and Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1781.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 666.

Senator Perry moved to withdraw the committee substitute considered at the April 19, 2023 hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry sent up a new committee substitute, and the chair recognized Senator Hall to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Perry moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that SB 666 do not pass but that CSSB 666 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Miles submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting nay on CSSB 666.

At 10:46 AM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:49 PM Senator Kolkhorst reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 2143 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited and resource witnesses to provide testimony on SB 2143 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 2143 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1667 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1667 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1389 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1389 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1389 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1113 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, to explain the bill.

The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 1113 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1113 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1307 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1307 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2009 and recognized the author, Senator Sparks, to explain the bill.

Senator Sparks sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Sparks to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SB 2009 (See attached witness list).

Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 2009 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SJR 66 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Hall to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair called the following invited witnesses to provide testimony on SJR 66 (See attached witness list). Public testimony was heard on 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 Kolkhorst moved that SJR 66 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:19 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bill: SB 2086. Public testimony was heard on the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 6:39 PM Senator Kolkhorst resumed the chair.

As a matter of pending business, the chair laid out the following bills: SB 1220, HB 728, HB 624, SB 842, SB 1137, SB 2143, SB 1150, SB 1285, SB 1307, SB 1723, HB 793, SB 2548, SB 1113, SB 1389, SB 1871, SB 2009, SB 1619, SB 1667. Public testimony was heard on the bills. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:14 PM Senator Perry moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Chair

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Kimberly Robertson, Clerk