MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
9:00 a.m.
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health &
Human Services was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, in the
Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson None
Senator Kyle Janek
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator John Carona
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Royce West
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. The
following business was transacted:
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 423 and recognized the author,
Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the
amendment.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
The Chair announced that SB 423 would be left pending to await
the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 424 and recognized the author,
Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
The Chair announced that SB 424 would be left pending to await
the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 521 and recognized the author,
Senator Madla, to explain the bill.
Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Madla to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
The Chair announced that SB 521 would be left pending to await
the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 523 and recognized the author,
Senator Deuell, to explain the bill.
Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
The Chair announced that SB 523 would be left pending to await
the arrival of a quorum.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 563 and recognized the author,
Senator Janek, to explain the bill.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
The Chair announced that SB 563 would be left pending to await
the arrival of a quorum.
At 9:45 a.m., Senator Janek assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 632 and recognized the author,
Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.
Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed.
Senator Nelson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the
amendment.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
At 10:07 a.m., Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
At 10:10 a.m., Senator Janek assumed the chair.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
At 10:20 a.m., a quorum was established.
Senator Carona moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1 to the
proposed committee substitute for SB 632; without objection, the
amendment was adopted.
Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to incorporate the
amendment into the committee substitute; without objection, it
was so ordered. Senator Deuell then moved that the new
committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so
ordered. Senator Deuell moved that SB 632 do not pass but that
CSSB 632 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0
absent.
Senators Armbrister, Lindsay, and West asked to be shown voting
aye; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
At 10:25 a.m. Senator Nelson resumed the chair.
The Chair moved adoption of the minutes from the previous
hearing held on March 8, 2005; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 423 which had previously been left
pending.
Senator Carona moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1 to SB
423; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Carona requested unanimous consent to incorporate the
amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was
so ordered. Senator Carona then moved that the committee
substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona moved that SB 423 do not pass but that CSSB 423
be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote
of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senators Armbrister, Lindsay, and West asked to be shown voting
aye; without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 523 which had previously been left
pending.
Senator Deuell moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB
523; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Deuell moved that SB 523 do not pass but that CSSB 523
be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote
of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senators Armbrister, Lindsay, and West asked to be shown voting
aye; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Deuell moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 563 which had previously been left
pending.
Senator Janek moved that SB 563 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senators Armbrister, Lindsay, and West asked to be shown voting
aye; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Janek moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 521 which had previously been left
pending.
The Chair moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 521;
without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Janek moved that SB 521 do not pass but that CSSB 521 be
reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senators Armbrister, Lindsay, and West asked to be shown voting
aye; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Janek moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 626 and recognized the author,
Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair
recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 626 do not pass but that CSSB
626 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 1 absent.
Senator West asked to be shown voting aye; without objection, it
was so ordered.
At 10:45 a.m., the Chair moved that the Committee stand in
recess until 30 upon adjournment of the Senate; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 12:35 p.m., the Committee reconvened.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 248 and recognized the author,
Senator West, to explain the bill.
Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator West moved
adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
Senator West moved that SB 248 do not pass but that CSSB 248 be
reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Zaffirini asked to be shown voting aye; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Senator Zaffirini moved to reconsider the vote by which CSSB 626
was reported favorably; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 626 do not pass but that CSSB
626 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that
it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record
vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator West asked to be shown voting aye; without objection, it
was so ordered.
Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 627 and recognized the author,
Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
The Chair announced that SB 627 would be left pending.
The Chair laid out Senate Bill 271 and recognized the author,
Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed
public testimony.
Senator Gallegos sent up Committee Amendment 1 and then withdrew
the amendment.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 271 do not pass but that CSSB
271 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that
it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record
vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Armbrister asked to be shown voting aye; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 627 which had previously been left
pending.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 627 do not pass but that CSSB
627 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Armbrister asked to be shown voting nay; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 424 which had previously been left
pending.
The Chair announced that SB 424 would be left pending.
There being no further business, at 2:45 p.m. the Chair
announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the
call of the Chair.
_____________________________
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair
_____________________________
Travis Broussard, Clerk