MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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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 Finance was held on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair	Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Pete Flores
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Angela Paxton
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:12 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 591 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Blanco, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Blanco to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1595 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

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 laid out HJR 3 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Huffman to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.

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.

At 10:18 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.  

Pursuant to a motion made by Senator Huffman, to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Committee on Finance reconvened in the Senate Press Room, 2E.9, at 2:28 PM.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1595 by Senator Huffman.

Senator Hinojosa moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved that HB 1595 do not pass but that CSHB 1595 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out HJR 3 by Senator Huffman.

Senator Hinojosa moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved that HJR 3 do not pass but that CSHJR 3 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2674 by Senator Kolkhorst.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 2674 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Hinojosa 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 2691 by Senator Zaffirini.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 2691 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Hinojosa 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 266 by Senator Springer.

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 266 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 8 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting and 5 absent, the motion failed to receive an affirmative vote of the committee membership

 The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 591 by Senator Blanco.

Senator Hinojosa moved the adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 591 do not pass but that CSHB 591 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1595, HJR 3, HB 2674, HB 2691 and HB 591. 

Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1595, HJR 3, HB 2674 HB 2691 and nay on HB 591.

Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1595.

Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1595 and HJR 3. 

Senator West submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 266.

Senator Zaffirini submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1595, HJR 3, HB 2674, HB 2691 and HB 591. 

There being no further business, at 2:36 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk