MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Thursday, March 20, 2003
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs
was held on Thursday, March 20, 2003, in the Capitol Extension,
Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff Senator Frank Madla
Senator Todd Staples
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Jane Nelson
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Chairman Ratliff called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chairman laid out SB 513 and recognized the author, Senator
Lindsay, 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 Staples moved that SB 513
be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that
it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record
vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous consent was requested
and granted for Senators Armbrister, Fraser, and Harris to be
shown voting aye (the 8 ayes include the motions in writing).
Senator Ratliff moved that the committee stand recessed until 20
minutes after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it
was so ordered.
At 1:00 p.m., the committee reconvened. The chairman laid out
SB 496 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the
bill. Senator Armbrister sent up a committee substitute; the
chairman recognized Senator Janek to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Armbrister sent up Committee Amendment 1; the chairman
recognized Senator Janek to explain the amendment. Senator
Armbrister moved that Committee Amendment 1 be left pending to
await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. At 1:15
p.m., Senator Armbrister assumed the chair.
At 1:28 p.m., Chairman Ratliff resumed the chair. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list. At 2:32 p.m., Senator Duncan assumed the chair and
testimony continued. At 2:45 p.m., Chairman Ratliff resumed the
chair. The chairman stopped testimony briefly to lay out SB
833; the chairman then moved to leave the bill pending; without
objection, it was so ordered. Testimony on SB 496 resumed. At
3:50 p.m., Senator Staples assumed the chair. At the conclusion
of testimony, Senator Staples moved to leave Committee Amendment
1 pending; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator
Staples moved to leave the Committee Substitute pending; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Staples moved that the
public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered. Senator Staples then moved that SB 496 be left
pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 4:06 p.m., Senator Staples
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chairman. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Bill Ratliff, Chairman
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Nancy B. Macken, Clerk