MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Thursday, May 13, 1999 3:00 pm, or Upon Adjournment Lt. Governor's Committee Room ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Economic Development was held on Thursday, May 13, 1999 in the Lt. Governor's Committee Room, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator David Sibley, Chairman None Senator Kenneth Armbrister, Vice Chairman Senator John Carona Senator Troy Fraser Senator Mike Jackson Senator Frank Madla Senator John Whitmire ***** The Chairman called the meeting to order at 2:40 pm. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted. Senator Armbrister assumed the Chair, laid out HB 3304 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sibley, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that HB 3304 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Sibley moved that HB 3304 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 89 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sibley, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that HB 89 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Sibley moved that HB 89 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 2:50 pm Senator Sibley assumed the chair, laid out HB 2514 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Armbrister moved that HB 2514 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Armbrister moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2513 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill. Senator Armbrister moved that HB 2513 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Armbrister moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2511 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill. Scott McAnally, representing the Research & Oversight Council on Workers' Compensation, registered as a resource on the bill. Senator Armbrister moved that HB 2511 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Armbrister moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 969 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Carona moved that HB 969 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2800 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Senator Carona moved that HB 2800 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2655 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Lisa Ross, representing Automotive Service Professionals of Texas, registered for the bill. Senator Carona moved that HB 2655 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 1822 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Carona moved that HB 1822 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. The Chairman laid out HB 1217 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Jackson moved that HB 1217 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Jackson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2252 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Jackson moved that HB 2252 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Jackson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2253 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Jackson moved that HB 2253 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Jackson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 3:05 pm Senator Armbrister assumed the chair. The Chairman laid out HB 1333 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sibley, to explain the bill. Leslie Geballe, representing the Texas Workforce Commission, registered as a resource on the bill. Senator Sibley moved that HB 1333 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 3480 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sibley, to explain the bill. Leslie Geballe, representing the Texas Workforce Commission, registered as a resource on the bill. Senator Sibley moved that HB 3480 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered The Chairman laid out HB 2915 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sibley, to explain the bill. Mike Fernandez, representing the Texas Workforce Commission, registered as a resource on the bill. Senator Sibley moved that HB 2915 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 3034 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Sibley, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Sibley moved that HB 3034 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. At 3:15 pm Senator Sibley resumed the chair. The Chairman laid out HB 792 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Carona moved that HB 792 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2338 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that the bill be left pending for a time; without objection, it was so ordered. Following discussion, Senator Carona moved that HB 2338 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. The Chairman laid out HB 3431 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Fraser moved that HB 3431 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 3189 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. At 3:35 pm Senator Carona assumed the chair and opened public testimony on HB 3189. Senator Jackson sent up Committee Amendment 1. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that the public hearing be closed and that the bill be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. At 4:00 pm Senator Sibley resumed the chair. The Chairman laid out HB 2711 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Kevin Brady, representing the Texas Department of Insurance, registered as a resource witness on the bill. Senator Carona moved that HB 2711 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2337 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that HB 2337 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Carona moved that HB 2337 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 1148 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that HB 1148 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Carona moved that HB 1148 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 3656 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. The Chairman moved that HB 3656 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Madla moved that HB 3656 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Madla moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2424 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that HB 2424 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Whitmire moved that HB 2424 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. The Chairman laid out HB 1097 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that HB 1097 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Carona moved that HB 1097 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2495 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chairman moved that HB 2495 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Carona moved that HB 2495 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Madla moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 1453 and recognized Senator Carona, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Carona moved that HB 1453 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. The Chairman laid out HB 1997 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Madla, to explain the bill. Mindy Meadows, representing Texas Apartment Association, registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. Senator Madla moved that HB 1997 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Madla moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 450 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Senator Whitmire moved that HB 450 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 512, pending in Committee. Senator Sibley moved that HB 512 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Sibley moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chairman laid out HB 2941 and HB 3177 and moved that the bills be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. There being no further business, at 4:30 pm Senator Sibley moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chairman. Without objection, it was so ordered. __________________________ Senator David Sibley, Chairman __________________________ Barbara Henderson, Clerk