Senate Appropriations committee advances a slate of bills; SB49 passes 6-1

The Senate Committee on Appropriations met and voted on a package of bills, approving a series of measures including Senate Bill 49 (6–1) and placing Senate Bill 182 on hold for later consideration.

The committee moved each item by voice or roll call, adopted several amendment packets on the floor for two bills, and referred multiple measures to the consent calendar where noted. No substantive floor debate was recorded in the provided transcript excerpts; committee members asked a brief procedural question about fiscal impact on one bill and received a staff response that the amendments did not change the fiscal note.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 1005 — Approved (4–2; 1 excused). Motion: “I move House Bill 1005.” Mover: Senator Mabile. Vote tally reported: Yes — Kirkmeyer, Liston, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Coker, Pelton; Excused — Senator Gonzales. Notes: No amendments were reported. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 463.69; topicfinish at block 508.995.)

- Senate Bill 184 — Approved (4–2). Motion: moved by the bill sponsor (Senator Weisman). Vote tally reported: Yes — Kirkmeyer, Coker, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Liston, Pelton; Excused — Senator Gonzales. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 513.95496; topicfinish at block 561.825.)

- Senate Bill 182 — Laid over (tabled). The committee announced a “slight problem” and laid the item over; no vote was taken. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 561.825; topicfinish at block 581.89.)

- Senate Bill 177 — Approved (unanimous among those present). Motion moved by Mr. Vice Chair. Roll shows Senator Gonzales excused for this vote; members present voted aye. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 585.28503; topicfinish at block 637.97.)

- Senate Bill 176 — Approved (unanimous among those present). Motion moved by Mr. Vice Chair; committee placed the bill on the consent calendar afterward. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 656.49; topicfinish at block 699.935.)

- Senate Bill 175 — Approved (4–3). Motion moved by Senator Gonzales. Vote tally reported: Yes — Gonzales, Coker, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Kirkmeyer, Liston, Pelton. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 727.375; topicfinish at block 778.115.)

- Senate Bill 174 — Approved (unanimous). Motion moved by Mr. Vice Chair; one senator later requested the bill not be placed on consent due to a technical amendment to be offered on second reading. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 796.12006; topicfinish at block 845.625.)

- Senate Bill 41 — Approved (4–3). Motion moved by Senator Mabile (sponsor). Vote tally reported: Yes — Gonzales, Coker, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Kirkmeyer, Liston, Pelton. Amendments: L002 was adopted on the floor prior to the final vote; committee noted that adopting L002 made a pending J amendment unnecessary. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 879.51; topicfinish at block 960.24.)

- Senate Bill 20 — Approved (4–3). Motion moved by Senator Gonzalez. Vote tally reported: Yes — Gonzales, Coker, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Kirkmeyer, Liston, Pelton. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 964.08; topicfinish at block 996.09.)

- Senate Bill 2 — Approved (4–3). Motion moved by Senator Bridges. Amendments J001, L003 and L004 were offered and adopted on the floor; a committee member asked whether the amendments affected the fiscal note and was told they did not. Vote tally reported: Yes — Gonzales, Coker, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Kirkmeyer, Liston, Pelton. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 1000.64496; topicfinish at block 1159.65.)

- Senate Bill 1 — Approved (4–3). Motion moved by Senator Gonzalez; amendments J001 and L15 were adopted on the floor. Vote tally reported: Yes — Gonzales, Coker, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Kirkmeyer, Liston, Pelton. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 1160.1901; topicfinish at block 1251.11.)

- Senate Bill 49 — Approved (6–1). The committee initially postponed action earlier in the session because sponsors were not present; later, with sponsors present, the motion passed 6–1. Vote tally reported: Yes — Gonzales, Kirkmeyer, Coker, Liston, Vice Chair, Madam Chair; No — Pelton. (Transcript segments: topicintro at block 1272.32; topicfinish at block 1302.43.)

Committee process and context

Committee members repeatedly used the consent calendar for noncontroversial items and adopted technical amendments on the floor for several measures. Senator Kirkmeyer asked whether amendments to Senate Bill 2 would change the bill’s fiscal note; Senator Bridges answered that they did not. Several motions were moved by the vice chair or the bill sponsors; Mr. Catlett recorded roll calls. The committee adjourned after the final vote.

Ending

With the package of measures advanced and one item laid over, the Senate Committee on Appropriations concluded its session and adjourned.