MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, May 14, 2007

9:00 a.m.

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, May 14, 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 Jane Nelson

 

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator John Whitmire

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HCR 25 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:07 a.m. the clerk called the roll.

 

Senator Hegar moved that HCR 25 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 3 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 HB 2173 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill.  Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Brimer moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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.  Senator Brimer moved that HB 2173 do not pass but that CSHB 2173 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 3 absent.  Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3560 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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. 

The chair moved that HB 3560 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1788 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair moved that HB 1788 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3106 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that HB 3106 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1789 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair moved that HB 1789 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 387 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that HB 387 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1297 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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.  

 

At 9:40 a.m. Senator Hegar assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Hegar called up HB 2427.

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 5 and withdrew the amendment.  Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be re-opened; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and/or registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that HB 2427 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hegar laid out HB 957 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hegar moved that HB 957 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Hegar called up HB 2426.

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 2 and withdrew the amendment.

 

Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be re-opened; 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.  Senator Hegar moved that HB 957 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:05 a.m. Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

 

At 10:05 a.m. the chair moved that the committee stand at ease subject to call of the chair; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 & 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Government Organization was held on Monday, May 14, 2007, in the Senate Chamber, at Senator Ellis' desk in Austin, Texas.

 

The clerk called the roll at 5:04 p.m.

 

The following members were present: Senators Ellis, Senator Hegar, Senator Brimer, Senator Gallegos, Jr., Senator Jackson, Senator Nelson, and Senator Whitmire.

 

The chair called up HB 387.

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 387 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 1297.

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 1297 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair called up HB 1788.

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 1788 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 1789.

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 1789 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 2427.

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 2427 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair called up HB 3106.

 

Senator Hegar moved that the committee reconsider the vote by which the substitute was adopted; without objection it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved to withdraw the committee substitute; without objection it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar sent up a new committee substitute. Senator Hegar moved adoption of the new committee substitute; without objection, it

was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that HB 3106 do not pass but that CSHB 3106 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  

 

Senator Hegar assumed the chair at 5:09 p.m.

 

Senator Hegar called up HB 957.

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Ellis requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 957 do not pass but that CSHB 957 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Whitmire asked to be shown voting aye on the following bills: HB 1297, HB 1788, HB 1789, HB 2427, HB 3106 and HB 957; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 5:10 p.m. Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

 

At 5:10 p.m. the chair moved that the committee stand at ease subject to call of the chair; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Marisol Rodriguez, Clerk