MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, April 12, 2007

10:00 a.m. or upon adjournment

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 Thursday, April 12, 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 Mike Jackson

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

Senator John Carona

 

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Senator Williams, the acting chair called the meeting to order at 4:39 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 1385 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

Senator Williams sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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 1385 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 749 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill.  Senator Williams sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Janek 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 749 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1705 and recognized the author, Senator Harris, 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 1705 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 53 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.  Senator Williams sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 53 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1355 and recognized Senator Harris, in the absence of the author, 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.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum Senator Williams, the acting chair, requested the roll call.  Senators Williams,  Fraser, Harris, Lucio, Jr., and Van de Putte were all present.  A quorum was established at 5:19 p.m.  Senators Duncan, Ellis, and Jackson arrived after the roll.

 

At 5:23 p.m. Senator Duncan assumed the chair. 

 

The chair moved that SB 1355 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out SB 334 and recognized the author, Senator Harris, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute to SB 334; 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 bills are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

At 5:39 p.m. Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1614 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, 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. 

 

At 5:50 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair moved that SB 334 and SB 1614 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.    

 

The chair laid out SB 1582 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, 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 1582 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 380 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Van de Putte 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 380 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out SB 932 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Jackson 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 932 be left pending the arrival of a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 6:23 p.m. Senator Jackson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1832 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, 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 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 1832 be left pending temporarily; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 6:35 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair.   The chair announced to the committee a time certain vote at 7:00 p.m.

 

The chair laid out SB 1170 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, 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 Duncan moved that SB 1170 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 53 by Zaffirini.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 53 do not pass but that CSSB 53 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senators Fraser, Harris, and Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 53; without objection, it was so ordered.  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 749. Senator Williams moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Williams moved that SB 749 do not pass but that CSSB 749 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senators Fraser, Harris, and Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 749; without objection, it was so ordered.  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 932.  Senator Jackson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Jackson moved that SB 932 do not pass but that CSSB 932 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senators Fraser, Harris and Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 932; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Jackson 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 1385 by Watson.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1385 do not pass but that CSSB 1385 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senators Fraser, Harris, and Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 1385; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1705 by Harris.  Senator Williams moved that SB 1705 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senators Fraser, Harris, and Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 1705; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1832. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Williams moved that SB 1832 do not pass but that CSSB 1832 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.    Senators Harris and Van de Putte requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 1832; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SJR 49 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Jackson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Jackson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Jackson moved that SJR 49 do not pass but that CSSJR 49 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senators Fraser, Harris, and Van de Putte asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SJR 49; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 7:23 p.m. Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1101 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. 

 

At 7:25 p.m. Senator Jackson assumed the chair. 

 

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 Duncan moved that SB 1101 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

At 7:55 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1731 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  Senator Duncan moved that SB 1731 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 8:45 p.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