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