MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

9:00 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 Health & Human Services was held on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                      MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Jane Nelson                                                               

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Kyle Janek

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Carlos Uresti

Senator Royce West

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

*****

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1313 and recognized Senator Nichols on behalf of the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senate Bill 1313 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1620 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

At 9:48 a.m., a quorum was established.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 1620 do not pass but that CSSB 1620 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0  nays, 0  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1620 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Uresti, West and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1313, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1313 do not pass but that CSSB 1313 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0  nays, 0  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1313 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Uresti and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1620; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced that Senate Bill 1703 by Senator Harris would be withdrawn at the request of the author.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 570 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 570 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, 0  nays, 0  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that SB 570 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek, Uresti and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1144 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Deuell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 1144 do not pass but that CSSB 1144 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  nays, 1  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senators Janek, Uresti and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:14 a.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1059 by Representative Parker and recognized the sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 1059 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, 0  nays, 0  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that HB 1059 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek, Uresti, West and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:27 a.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1649 and recognized Senator Nichols on behalf of the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1649 do not pass but that CSSB 1649 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0  nays, 0  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1649 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek, Uresti and West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 1115, which had been previously left pending, and recognized its author, Senator Deuell.

 

Senator Deuell moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute to Senate Bill 1115 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Deuell sent up Committee Amendment 2 and explained the amendment. 

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 2; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Deuell requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Deuell moved that SB 1115 do not pass but that CSSB 1115 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0  nays, 0  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Deuell requested that CSSB 1115 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek, Uresti and West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 920 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill. 

 

Senate Bill 920 was left pending.

 

At 10:41 a.m., the Committee stood recessed.

 

At 2:34 p.m., the Committee reconvened.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 920, which had been previously left pending.

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. 

 

Senate Bill 920 was left pending.

 

The Chair announced Senator Uresti's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1620, CSSB 1313, SB 570, CSSB 1144, HB 1059, CSSB 1649 and CSSB 1115; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator Zaffirini's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 570, CSSB 920, CSSB 1144, CSSB 1313, CSSB 1620 and HB 1059; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator Janek's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 570, CSSB 1144, HB 1059, CSSB 1649 and CSSB 1115; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 623 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Janek sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. 

 

Senator Janek sent up Committee Amendment 2 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Janek sent up Committee Amendment 3 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 3; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 2; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Janek requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Janek moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Janek moved that SB 623 do not pass but that CSSB 623 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  nays, 1  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Janek requested that CSSB 623 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Uresti requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 920, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senate Bill 920 was left pending.

 

The Chair recognized Senator Uresti for a statement regarding Senate Bill 1353.

 

Senator West announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 1059, CSSB 1649 and CSSB 1115; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 920, which had been previously left pending.

 

Committee Amendment 1 was withdrawn.

 

Senator Patrick sent up Committee Amendment 2 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Patrick sent up Committee Amendment 3 and explained the amendment. 

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 3; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Committee Amendment 2 was withdrawn.

Senator Patrick sent up Committee Amendment 4 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 4; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that SB 920 do not pass but that CSSB 920 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, 1  nays, 0  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Uresti announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 623; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator Zaffirini's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 920; without objection it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 4:28 p.m. the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

 

 

_____________________________

Tiffany Arrington, Clerk