MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

8:00 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 Transportation was held on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Nichols, Chair	None
Senator Royce West, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Sarah Eckhardt
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Phil King
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Charles Perry

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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 478 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 Nichols moved that SB 478 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1136 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1136 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 684 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.

Senator West sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hall 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 Nichols moved that SB 684 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 818 and recognized the author, Senator Alvarado, 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 Nichols moved that SB 818 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1115 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1115 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1260 and recognized Senator Hancock, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute. The chair recognized Senator Hancock 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 Nichols moved that SB 1260 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1499 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

Testimony continued. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1499 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1500 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 Hancock moved that SB 1500 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 505 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 Hancock moved that SB 505 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Committee stood at ease.

At 9:19 AM Senator Hancock reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 505, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 505 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 West, Senator Eckhardt, Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1499, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1499 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 West, Senator Eckhardt, Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1500, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1500 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 West, Senator Eckhardt, Senator Miles and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 478, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Hancock moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 478 do not pass but that CSSB 478 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 Eckhardt and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 818, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Alvarado moved that SB 818 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 Eckhardt and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Alvarado moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1115, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Hancock moved that SB 1115 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 Eckhardt and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1136, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator West moved that SB 1136 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 Eckhardt and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1260, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator West moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator West moved that SB 1260 do not pass but that CSSB 1260 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 Alvarado, Senator Eckhardt and Senator Perry requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:25 AM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

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Amy Jeter, Clerk