MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

8:30 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 15, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

 

Senator Phil King

Senator Royce West, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Carol Alvarado

 

 

Senator Sarah Eckhardt

 

 

Senator Kelly Hancock

 

 

Senator Borris Miles

 

 

Senator Tan Parker

 

 

Senator Charles Perry

 

 

 

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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 welcomed the Committee members to the Senate Transportation Committee and made introductory remarks, followed by the chair’s introduction of the Senate Transportation Committee staff. The chair recognized the Committee members to make opening remarks and introduce their respective staffs. 

 

The chair laid out the proposed Committee Rules for the 88th Legislature. Senator West moved adoption of the Committee Rules. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

The chair laid out SB 347 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 Nichols moved that SB 347 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 656 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 656 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 261 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. Senator Nichols moved that SB 261 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 904 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. Senator Nichols moved that SB 904 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 247 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 247 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 190 and recognized the author, Senator Miles, 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 190 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 323 and recognized Senator Parker, 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 Nichols moved that SB 323 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 508 and recognized Senator West, 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 Nichols moved that SB 508 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 507 and recognized Senator West, 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 Nichols moved that SB 507 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

Senator West assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1021 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 West moved that SB 1021 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1023 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 West moved that SB 1023 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 190, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator West moved that SB 190 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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 247, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator West moved that SB 247 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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 323, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator West moved that SB 323 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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 347, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator West moved that SB 347 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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 507, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Perry moved that SB 507 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 508, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Perry moved that SB 508 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 656, 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 656 do not pass but that CSSB 656 be reported back to the 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 1 absent. Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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 904, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator West moved that SB 904 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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.

 

Senator West assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1021, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1021 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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 1023, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1023 be reported favorably to the 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 1 absent.  Senator Alvarado, Senator Miles and Senator Parker 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.

 

There being no further business, at 9:18 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