MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Monday, April 30, 2007

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Monday, April 30, 2007, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Steve Ogden Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator Kip Averitt Senator Bob Deuell Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Kyle Janek Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Jane Nelson Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Royce West Senator Tommy Williams		Senator Robert Duncan Senator Troy Fraser Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator John Whitmire

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 49 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 senate bill as filed.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 49 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1059 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill.  Senator Janek sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Janek to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 1059 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 376 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 376 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 936 and recognized Senator Eltife, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Eltife to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 936 be left pending to await any additional public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 953 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill.  Senator Janek sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Brimer to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 953 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 106 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 106 be left pending to await any additional public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 107 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 107 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 490 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 490 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 741 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 741 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1638 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 1638 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1639 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. Senator Williams 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 Ogden moved that SB 1639 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 312 and recognized Senator Averitt, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 312 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 865 and recognized Senator Eltife, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 865 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 49, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

 

The chair laid out SB 49, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Ogden moved adoption of the committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1059, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Janek moved adoption of the committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 106, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Ogden moved adoption of the committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 936, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Ogden moved adoption of the committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 953, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Ogden moved adoption of the committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Testimony on SB 49 resumed.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair laid out SB 666, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 666 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Zaffirini, Senator Lucio, and Senator West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SJR 29, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Janek moved that SJR 29 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Zaffirini and Senator Lucio requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1087, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator West moved that SB 1087 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1296, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that SB 1296 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator West assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2031, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Ogden sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ogden to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ogden moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 2031 do not pass but that CSSB 2031 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ogden resumed the chair. 

 

Testimony on SB 49 resumed.  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 Ogden moved that SB 49 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1059, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 1059 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1638, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 1638 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1639, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 1639 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 106, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 106 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 107, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 107 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 490, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 490 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 312, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 312 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 741, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 741 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 376, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 376 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 936, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 936 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 953, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 953 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 865, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  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 Zaffirini moved that SB 865 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

Senator Ogden resumed the chair. 

 

There was no action taken for the following bill(s): SB 1421.

 

There being no further business, at 12:07 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Steve Ogden, Chair

 

 

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Amy Jeter, Clerk