MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Friday, May 18, 2007

11:00 a.m. or upon adjournment

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 Friday, May 18, 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 Robert Duncan Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Troy Fraser Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Kyle Janek Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Jane Nelson Senator Florence Shapiro Senator John Whitmire Senator Tommy Williams		Senator Royce West

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:59 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HJR 90 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that HJR 90 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 14 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.  Senator Ogden moved that HB 14 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

Senator Nelson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 12 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

Senator Janek sent up Committee Amendment 1.  Senator Nelson moved that HB 12 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 913 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 913 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 12, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. 

 

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

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 12 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out HB 913, 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 HB 913 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out HB 216 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Patrick, 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 216 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.18, was suspended to hear the following bill(s):  HB 1207 and HB 3107.

 

The chair laid out HB 1207 and recognized Senator Duncan, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 1207 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out HB 3107 and recognized Senator Duncan, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  There being no witnesses, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 3107 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

 

 

The chair laid out HB 15 and recognized Senator Duncan, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 HB 15 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3189 and recognized Senator Duncan, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Zaffirini moved that HB 3189 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 5:53 p.m. Senator Zaffirini moved that the Committee stand recessed until the arrival of Chairman Ogden; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 6:47 p.m. Senator Ogden reconvened the Committee.

 

The chair laid out HJR 90 and HB 14, both of which had been left pending earlier in the hearing. 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills 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.

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 14 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nelson moved that HJR 90 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 15, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Ogden moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden moved that HB 15 do not pass but that CSHB 15 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Hinojosa, Senator Nelson, and Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1207, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Ogden moved that HB 1207 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Nelson and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3107, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Ogden moved that HB 3107 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 Nelson and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ogden resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 438, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that HB 438 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 Nelson and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 618, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Janek moved that HB 618 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 Nelson and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3314, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 3314 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Zaffirini and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3315, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 3315 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Zaffirini and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3490, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that HB 3490 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 Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3491, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that HB 3491 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3493, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that HB 3493 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent.  Senator Deuell and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3494, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that HB 3494 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent.  Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3495, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that HB 3495 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 Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3496, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Williams moved that HB 3496 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent.  Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1459, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Janek moved that HB 1459 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Zaffirini and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3319, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 3319 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 Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1470, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Ogden moved to adopt a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Shapiro moved that HB 1470 do not pass but that CSHB 1470 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 Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Shapiro moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 316, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Lucio moved that HB 316 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 Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3552, which had been left pending at a previous hearing.  Senator Lucio moved that HB 3552 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 Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3189, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Shapiro moved that HB 3189 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 Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There was no action taken for the following bill(s): HB 2733 and HB 3778.

 

There being no further business, at 8:24 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