MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

8:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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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 Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

 

None

Senator Phil King, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Brandon Creighton

 

 

Senator Nathan Johnson

 

 

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

 

 

Senator José Menéndez

 

 

Senator Mayes Middleton

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 159 by Senator Perry as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 7, 2023 Hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King sent up a new committee substitute to SB 159. The Chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator King moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 159 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that CSSB 159 be recommended to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 315 by Senator Hall as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that SB 315 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 621 by Senator Parker as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved adoption of the committee substitute. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 621 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that CSSB 621 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 58 by Senator Zaffirini as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that SB 58 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 222 by Senator Nichols as a matter of pending business. Senator Nichols moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 7, 2023 Hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols sent up a new committee substitute to SB 222. The Chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 222 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that CSSB 222 be recommended to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 271 by Senator Johnson as a matter of pending business. Senator Johnson moved to withdraw the previous committee substitute that was considered at the March 7, 2023 Hearing. Without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Johnson sent up a new committee substitute to SB 271. The Chair recognized Senator Johnson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator King moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator King moved that SB 271 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator King moved that CSSB 271 be recommended to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator King assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 335 by Senator Schwertner as a matter of pending business. Senator Nichols moved that SB 335 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 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 640 by Senator Schwertner as a matter of pending business. Senator Nichols sent up the committee substitute to SB 640. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 640 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nichols moved that CSSB 640 be recommended to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 510 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator King sent up the committee substitute to SB 510. The Chair recognized the author to

explain the difference in the substitute and the 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. The Chair moved that SB 510 be left pending; without

objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The Chair laid out SB 768 and recognized the author, Senator Parker, to explain the bill.

Individuals 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. The Chair moved that SB 768 be left

pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 149 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. The Chair moved that

SB 149 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 936 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. The Chair moved that

SB 936 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1015 and recognized the author, Senator King, to explain the bill.

Senator Kolkhorst sent up the committee substitute to SB 1015. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the substitute and the 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. The Chair moved that SB 1015 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:54 AM, the Chair moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.

 

At 1:39 PM, the Chair called the meeting back to order.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1016 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. The Chair moved that

SB 1016 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1017 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell to explain the bill. Senator King sent up the committee substitute to SB 1017. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the substitute and the 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. The Chair moved that SB 1017 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 541 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell to explain the bill. Senator King sent up the committee substitute to SB 541. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the substitute and the 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. The Chair moved that SB 541 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 130 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell to explain the bill. Senator King sent up the committee substitute to SB 130. The Chair recognized the author to explain the difference in the substitute and the 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. The Chair moved that SB 130 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 498 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, to explain the bill. Individuals 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. The Chair moved that

SB 498 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 895 and recognized the author, Senator Johnson, 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. The Chair moved that

SB 895 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator King assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1001 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. The Chair moved that

SB 1001 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 3:02 PM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Annika Vandayar, Clerk