MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

8:00 a.m.

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Wednesday, April 11, 2007, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Tommy Williams

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Senator Mike Jackson

 

Senator John Carona

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. 

 

The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 1169 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill.  Senator Jackson 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 Jackson sent up Committee Amendment 1. 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.   The chair moved that SB 1169 be left pending temporarily. 

 

The chair laid out SJRs 40, SJR 48, and SJR 49 and recognized the authors, Senators Hegar, Ogden, and Jackson to explain the bills.  Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute to SJR 40 by Hegar; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The chair moved that SJR 40, 48, and 49 be left pending, without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1200 and recognized the author, 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.  The chair moved that SB 1200 be left pending temporarily.

 

The chair laid out SB 1839 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Patrick to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The chair moved that SB 1839 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SJR 59 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Patrick 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.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.   The chair moved that SJR 59 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1299 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, 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.  The chair moved that SB 1299 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1254 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill.  Witnesses 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 1254 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1680 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill.   Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Averitt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses 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 1680 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:34 a.m. Senator Williams assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1167 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan 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.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that SB 1167 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:38 a.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 297 and recognized Senator Harris, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Harris 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.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that SB 297 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:50 a.m. Senator Duncan moved that the committee stand recessed until 10:00 a.m; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:01 a.m. the committee reconvened.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, the chair requested the roll call.  Senators Duncan, Williams, Ellis, Fraser, Harris, Lucio, Jr., and Van de Putte were all present.  A quorum was established at 10:01 a.m.

 

At 10:04 a.m. Senator Williams assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1167.  Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that SB 1167 do not pass but that CSSB 1167 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 2 absent.  Senator Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:07 a.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1169.  Senator Fraser moved adoption of the Committee Amendment, without objection it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that SB 1169 do not pass but that CSSB 1169 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 2 absent.   Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1200.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1200 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 2 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1254.  Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 1254 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 2 absent.  Senator Van de Putte moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1299.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1299 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 2 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1680.  Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that SB 1680 do not pass but that CSSB 1680 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 2 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 22.  Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 22 do not pass but that CSSB 22 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 2 absent.  Senator Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 23.  Senator Fraser moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that SB 23 do not pass but that CSSB 23 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 2 absent. 

 

There being no further business, at 10:21 a.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Anna Beth White, Clerk