MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Thursday, May 4, 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 4, 2023, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Phil King, Vice Chair
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 8:30 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Middleton, Senator Zaffirini.

The Chair opened invited testimony (see attached witness list) for discussion on matters relating to the electric grid.

The Chair laid out HB 2127 by Representative Burrows in lieu of CSSB 814 by Senator Creighton as a matter of pending business. Senator Creighton moved that HB 2127 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 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

The Chair laid out SCR 25 by Senator Parker as a matter of pending business. Senator King

moved that SCR 25 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 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 1748, sponsored by Senator Hancock, as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that HB 1748 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 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 1074, sponsored by Senator Zaffirini, as a matter of pending business. Senator King moved that HB 1074 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 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 1901, sponsored by Senator Kolkhorst, as a matter of pending business. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1901 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 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 CSSB 833 by Senator King as a matter of pending business. The

committee substitute was adopted at a previous hearing. Senator King moved that SB 833

do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out CSHB 1706, sponsored by Senator Schwertner, as a matter of pending business. Senator Schwertner moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1706 do not pass but the committee substitute do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 2468 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 2468 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2217 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 2217 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1859 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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 1859 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2016 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 2016 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 1587 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Johnson, 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 1587 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2545 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Johnson, to explain

the bill. Senator Johnson sent up the committee substitute to HB 2545. 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 2545 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 697 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain

the bill. Senator King sent up the committee substitute to HB 697. The Chair recognized

the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 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 697 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2194 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hughes, to explain

the bill. Senator King sent up the committee substitute to HB 2194. The Chair recognized

the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 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 2194 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2024 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator King, 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 2024 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out HB 2469, sponsored by Senator Hancock, and recognized Senator King, 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 2469 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator King assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 679 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, 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 679 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

Senator Zaffirini asked the Chair for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 1748, HB 1074, HB 1901, HB 1706 and SCR 25. Without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 10:39 AM, the Chair moved that the Committee stand

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

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Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

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Annika Vandayar, Clerk