MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Thursday, November 14, 2024

10:00 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 Natural Resources & Economic Development was held on Thursday, November 14, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair	Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator César Blanco
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Borris Miles
Senator Kevin Sparks

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. There being a quorum present at 10:05 AM, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Carol Alvarado

Senator César Blanco

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

Senator Borris Miles

Senator Kevin Sparks

The chair laid out the following committee charge:

• Enhancing Workforce Productivity: Study ways to increase the state’s

workforce productivity, including access to childcare. Make recommendations,

within existing resources, to maintain childcare availability to support a growing

workforce.

The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)

Panel 1

Texas Workforce Commission

Bryan Daniel, Chairman

Texas Education Agency

Monica Martinez, Associate Commissioner

Health and Human Services Commission

Quinton Arnold, Deputy Associate Commissioner

Panel 2

Texas Restaurant Association

Kelsey Erikson Streufert, Chief Public Affairs Officer

Texas Mutual

Jeanette Ward, President and CEO

Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas

Phedra Redifer, Executive Director

Dallas Regional Chamber

Jarrad Toussant, SVP of Education & Workforce

The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)

There being no further business, at 2:05 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair

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Jennifer Trevino, Clerk