MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, March 9, 2023

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

 

*****

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, in the Senate Chamber.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

Senator Angela Paxton, Vice Chair

 

Senator José Menéndez

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

 

Senator Morgan LaMantia

 

 

Senator Mayes Middleton

 

 

Senator Tan Parker

 

 

Senator Charles Perry

 

 

Senator Charles Schwertner

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following businss was transacted:

 

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, was suspended to hear the following bill(s):

SB 994

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Angela Paxton

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

 

 

The Chair laid out SB 994 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 Hughes moved that SB 994 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 380 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute and she was recognized to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filled. 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 Hughes moved that SB 380 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 643 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Hughes moved that SB 643 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 718 and recognized the author, 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. Senator Hughes moved that SB 718 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 930 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill.

The Chair opened public testimony, and with there being no testimony, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SB 930 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SJR 54 and recognized the author, Senator Middleton, to explain the bill. The Chair opened public testimony, and with there being no testimony, the Chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hughes moved that SJR 54 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 801 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Hughes moved that SB 801 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 896 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Hughes moved that SB 896 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SJR 52 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, in the absence of the author, 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 Hughes moved that SJR 52 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 610 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Hughes moved that SB 610 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 922 and recognized the author, Senator Hughes, 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 Hughes moved that SB 922 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:00 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed to await the arrival of a is a quorum. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:32 PM Senator Hughes reconvened the meeting.

 

The Chair brought up SB 994 as a matter of pending business. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 994 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 2 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair brought up SB 380 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 380. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 380 do not pass but that CSSB 380 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 2 absent. Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair brought up SJR 52 as a matter of pending business. Senator Bettencourt moved that SJR 52 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  

 

The Chair brought up SB 643 as a matter of pending business. Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 643 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 2 absent. Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair brought up SB 718 as a matter of pending business. Senator Paxton moved that SB 718 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 2 absent. Senator Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:38 PM Senator Paxton assumed the chair.

 

The Chair brought up SB 801 as a matter of pending business. Senator Hughes moved that SB 801 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 2 absent. Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair brought up SB 610 as a matter of pending business. Senator Hughes moved that SB 610 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 2 absent.

Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair brought up SB 896 as a matter of pending business. Senator Hughes moved that SB 896 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 2 absent.

Senator Hughes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

At 12:41 PM Senator Hughes resumed the chair.

 

Senator Perry submitted a motion in writing requesting to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 801, SB 994, SB 380, SJR 52, SB 643, SB 718, SB 610, and SB 896.

 

There being no further business, at 12:50 PM Senator Hughes moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Bryan Hughes, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Taryn Taylor, Clerk