MINUTES 
                                           
                      SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE 
                               Tuesday, April 3, 2001 
                                     9:00 a.m. 
                           Lt. Governor's Committee Room 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business &  
         Commerce was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2001, in the Lt.  
         Governor's Committee Room 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                         
         Senator David Sibley, Chairman           
         Senator Troy Fraser, Vice Chairman 
         Senator John Carona 
         Senator Mike Jackson 
         Senator Eddie Lucio 
         Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Leticia Van de Putte 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chairman called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.  There  
         being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The chairman laid out SB1282 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Lucio, to explain the bill.  Senator Lucio sent up Committee  
         Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment  
         was adopted.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill  
         are shown on the attached list.  The chairman moved that the  
         public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.  Senator Lucio requested unanimous consent to roll the  
         amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was  
         so ordered.  Senator Lucio then moved that the committee  
         substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.   
         Senator Lucio moved that SB1282 do not pass but that CSSB1282 be  
         reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do  
         pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7  
         ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The chairman laid out SCR37 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Nelson, to explain the bill.  Witnesses registering on the bill  
         are shown on the attached list.  The chairman moved that the  
         public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that SCR37 be reported favorably  
         to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0  
         nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Shapleigh  
  
         moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB12, pending in Committee, and recognized  
         the author, Senator Nelson.  Senator Fraser sent up a committee  
         substitute; Senator Nelson explained the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Fraser  
         moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection,  
         it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that SB12 do not pass  
         but that CSSB12 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that the bill be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB935 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Armbrister, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and  
         registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The  
         chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Jackson moved that SB935  
         be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that  
         it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record  
         vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Lucio  moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB1096 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Cain.  Senator Lucio sent up a committee substitute; Senator  
         Cain explained the difference between the committee substitute  
         and the bill as filed.  Senator Lucio 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.   
          
         At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Sibley moved that the committee stand  
         recessed until one hour after adjournment of the Senate; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  The chairman advised that public  
         testimony on SB 1096 would resume at that time. 
          
         At 2:15 p.m. the committee reconvened and testimony continued on  
         SB 1096.  Upon completion of testimony, the chairman moved that  
         the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.  The chairman moved that SB1096 be left pending to  
         await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon  
         arrival of a quorum, Senator Fraser moved that SB1096 do not  
         pass but that CSSB1096 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 0 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 SB 1493 by Senator Shapleigh and moved  
  
         that the bill be left pending; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB1355 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Armbrister.  Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute;  
         Senator Armbrister explained 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 chairman moved that the public testimony be closed;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Sibley moved that  
         SB1355 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it  
         was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Fraser moved  
         adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was  
         so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that SB1355 do not pass but  
         that CSSB1355 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 0 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 SB1358 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Armbrister.  Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute;  
         Senator Armbrister explained 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 chairman moved that the public testimony be closed;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Sibley moved that  
         SB1358 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it  
         was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Lucio sent up  
         Committee Amendment 1 and Committee Amendment 2.  Senator  
         Jackson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without  
         objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Jackson moved  
         adoption of Committee Amendment 2; without objection, the  
         amendment was adopted.  Senator Jackson requested unanimous  
         consent to roll the amendments into a committee substitute;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Jackson then  
         moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that SB1358  
         do not pass but that CSSB1358 be reported back to the Senate  
         with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The  
         motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present  
         not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB1622 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Barrientos, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and  
         registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The  
         chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that SB1622  
         be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that  
         it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record  
         vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The subcommittee reports on CSSB228, SB 749 and SB 905 were laid  
         out by Senator Lucio.  Senator Lucio then moved adoption of the  
  
         subcommittee reports; there being no objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         Senator Shapleigh moved that SB228 do not pass but that CSSB228,  
         adopted in subcommittee,  be reported back to the Senate with  
         the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Shapleigh moved that the bill be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 749 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Shapleigh moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 905 be reported favorably to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Shapleigh moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Senator Lucio laid out the subcommittee reports on CSSB 1296 and  
         CSSJR 37 and moved adoption; without objection, the subcommittee  
         reports were adopted. 
          
         Senator Lucio sent up Committee Amendment 1 to CSSB 1296,  
         adopted in subcommittee, and moved adoption; without objection,  
         the amendment was adopted.  Senator Lucio requested unanimous  
         consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio then moved  
         that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection,  
         it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that SB1296 do not pass  
         but that CSSB1296 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not  
         voting, and 0 absent.    
          
         Senator Lucio sent up Committee Amendment 1 to CSSJR 37, adopted  
         in subcommittee, and moved adoption; without objection, the  
         amendment was adopted.  Senator Lucio requested unanimous  
         consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio then moved  
         that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection,  
         it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that SJR37 do not pass  
         but that CSSJR37 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
          
         carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 0 absent. 
          
         The chairman laid out SB1329 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Bivins.  Senator Lucio sent up a committee substitute; Senator  
         Bivins explained the difference between the committee substitute  
         and the bill as filed.  Senator Shapleigh 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 chairman moved that the public testimony  
         be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator  
         Shapleigh moved that SB1329 do not pass but that CSSB1329 be  
         reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do  
         pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7  
         ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB1181 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Shapleigh, to explain the bill.  Senator Shapleigh sent up  
         Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the  
         amendment was adopted.  Witnesses testifying and registering on  
         the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chairman moved  
         that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was  
         so ordered.  Senator Shapleigh requested unanimous consent to  
         roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Shapleigh then moved that  
         the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was  
         so ordered.  Senator Shapleigh moved that SB1181 do not pass but  
         that CSSB1181 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Shapleigh moved that the bill be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB836 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Shapleigh, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and  
         registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The  
         chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  The chairman moved that SB836 be  
         left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The subcommittee report on CSSB246 was laid out by Senator  
         Shapleigh.  Senator Shapleigh moved adoption of the subcommittee  
         report; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Shapleigh  
         moved that SB246 do not pass but that CSSB246, adopted in  
         subcommittee,  be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not  
         voting, and 2 absent.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB980 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Carona.  Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute and  
         explained the difference between the committee substitute and  
         the bill as filed.  Senator Carona 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 chairman moved that the public testimony  
         be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chairman  
  
         moved that SB980 be left pending; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB1503 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Lucio.  Senator Lucio sent up a committee substitute and  
         explained the difference between the committee substitute and  
         the bill as filed.  Senator Lucio moved adoption of the  
         committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.   
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached  
         list.  The chairman moved that the public testimony be closed;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that  
         SB1503 do not pass but that CSSB1503 be reported back to the  
         Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Lucio moved that the  
         bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested  
         Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The chairman laid out SB1707 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Van de Putte.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee  
         substitute and explained the difference between the committee  
         substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Van de Putte 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 chairman moved that the  
         public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   The chairman moved that SB1707 be left pending;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         There being no further business, at 7:57 p.m. 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