MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Monday, April 23, 2007

10:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Monday, April 23, 2007, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Royce West

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

 

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Senator Robert Nichols, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 10:16 a.m., the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 1957 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1957 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nichols moved that SB 1957 be left pending. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2004 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 2004 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nichols moved that SB 2004 be left pending. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1982 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Wentworth 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

A quorum was established at 10:24 a.m.

 

Senator Wentworth moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on April 18, 2007; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of Chairman West, Senator Wentworth moved that SB 1982 do not pass but that CSSB 1982 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2008 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Wentworth 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 2008 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1942 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Wentworth 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of Chairman West, Senator Nichols moved that SB 1942 do not pass but that CSSB 1942 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1977 and recognized Senator Wentworth, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:35 a.m., Senator West assumed the Chair.

 

Senator Wentworth moved that SB 1977 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 680 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Williams to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Wentworth 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Wentworth moved that SB 680 do not pass but that CSSB 680 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1997 and recognized Senator Patrick, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Patrick sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Patrick to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Patrick 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 1997 do not pass but that CSSB 1997 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1998 and recognized Senator Patrick, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Patrick sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Patrick to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Patrick 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 1998 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1999 and recognized Senator Patrick, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Patrick sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 1999 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2014 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 2014 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1969 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1969 do not pass but that CSSB 1969 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1986 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1986 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1987 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1987 do not pass but that CSSB 1987 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1988 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1988 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1989 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 1989 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1990 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Patrick sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 11:14 a.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1990 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1991 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1991 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1992 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1992 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 11:20 a.m. Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk