MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, May 11, 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 Thursday, May 11, 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 8:32 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Creighton, Senator Johnson, Senator Kolkhorst, Senator Menéndez, Senator Middleton.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2453, sponsored by Senator Parker, as a matter of pending business.

Senator King moved that HB 2453 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 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 3013, sponsored by Senator Flores, as a matter of pending business.

Senator King moved that HB 3013 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 1391, sponsored by Senator Perry, as a matter of pending business.

Senator King moved that HB 1391 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 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The Chair laid out HB 219, sponsored by Senator Johnson, as a matter of pending business.

Senator Johnson moved that HB 219 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2746, sponsored by Senator Menéndez, as a matter of pending business.

Senator Menéndez moved that HB 2746 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out HB 2518, sponsored by Senator Nichols, as a matter of pending business.

Senator Nichols moved that HB 2518 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 1957, sponsored by Senator King, as a matter of pending business.

Senator King moved that HB 1957 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2022, sponsored by Senator King, as a matter of pending business.

Senator King moved that HB 2022 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 8 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  

 

The Chair laid out HB 1040, sponsored by Senator Zaffirini, as a matter of pending business.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1040 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 3673, sponsored by Senator Zaffirini, as a matter of pending business.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 3673 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for

placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 207, sponsored by Senator Middleton, as a matter of pending business. Senator Middleton sent up the committee substitute to HB 207. The Chair recognized the Senate Sponsor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as engrossed. Senator Middleton moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Middleton moved that HB 207 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. The Chair moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 5260 by Representative Bumgarner in lieu of SB 1597 by Senator

Hancock as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that HB 5260 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. The Chair

moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;

without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator King assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out HB 3096, sponsored by Senator Schwertner, as a matter of pending business.

Senator Schwertner moved that HB 3096 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 HB 2555 by Representative Metcalf in lieu of SB 1111 by Senator

Schwertner as a matter of pending business. Senator Schwertner sent up the committee substitute to HB 2555. The Chair recognized the Senate Sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as engrossed. Senator Schwertner moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Schwertner moved that HB 2555 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

 

Senator Kolkhorst moved to reconsider the vote for HB 2453, sponsored by Senator Parker; without objection it was so ordered. The Chair moved that HB 2453 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 9 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

Senator King assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out HB 1500 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 1500 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 5066 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 5066 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 4194 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain

the bill. Senator Schwertner sent up the committee substitute to HB 4194. The Chair recognized

the author to explain the difference between the committee 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

CSHB 4194 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out HB 1558 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Whitmire, 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 HB

1558 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 1911 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 HB

1911 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2157 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, 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 HB

2157 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2706 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain

the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute to HB 2706. The Chair recognized

the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as engrossed. The Chair moved 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. The Chair moved that

CSHB 2706 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2065 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Middleton, 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 HB 2065 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:27AM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand at ease.

 

At 9:29 AM, the Chair called the Committee back to order.

 

The Chair laid out HB 2334 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Paxton, 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 HB 2334 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out HB 4277 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB

4277 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 9:35 AM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed

subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

 

 

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Annika Vandayar, Clerk