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MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, March 19, 2007

1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Government Organization was held on Monday, March 19, 2007, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Kim Brimer

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Jane Nelson

Senator John Whitmire

 

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:14 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 687 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill. 

Senator Brimer sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Brimer requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Brimer then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that CSSB 687 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 711 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill. 

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

Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 711 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 904 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill. 

Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Brimer moved that SB 904 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair called up CSSB 687. Senator Hegar moved that CSSB 687 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair called up SB 711. Senator Hegar moved that SB 711 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 445 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Hegar assumed the chair at 3:29 p.m.

 

Senator Hegar laid out SB 899 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Public testimony was taken on both bills. Witnesses testifying and/or registering on SB 445 and CSSB 899 are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that SB 445 and CSSB 899 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

Senator Ellis resumed the chair at 4:06 p.m.

 

The chair laid out SB 908 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill. 

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

Senator Brimer moved that SB 908 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Jackson asked to be shown voting aye on the following bills: CSSB 687, SB 711 and SB 904.

 

Senator Whitmire asked to be shown voting aye on the following bills: CSSB 687, SB 711 and SB 904.

 

Senator Hegar assumed the chair at 4:09 p.m.

 

Senator Hegar called up SB 445 and CSSB 899. Senator Hegar moved that public testimony be closed and moved that SB 445 and CSSB 899 be left pending; without objection it was ordered.

 

Senator Hegar laid out SB 555 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that SB 555 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 4:13 p.m. Senator Hegar moved that the committee stand at ease until 5:00 p.m.

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m.

 

Senator Mike Jackson assumed the chair at 5:08 p.m.           

 

Senator Jackson laid out SB 831 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

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

 

Senator Ellis resumed the chair at 5:12 p.m.

 

There being no further business, at 5:12 p.m., the chair moved that the committee stand at ease subject to call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

 

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Marisol Rodriguez, Clerk