MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Thursday, May 3, 2007

11:00 a.m. or upon adjournment

Hearing Room E1.016

 

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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 Thursday, May 3, 2007, in hearing room E1.016 at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                      MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Jane Nelson                                                                Senator Judith Zaffirini

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Kyle Janek

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Carlos Uresti

Senator Royce West

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:47 p.m.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair announced that Senate Bill 172 would be postponed for a later hearing at the request of the author.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1597 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Janek sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Janek 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 Janek moved adoption of the committee substitute.  The Clerk called the roll.

 

At 4:27 p.m., a quorum was established.

 

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

 

Senator Janek moved that SB 1597 do not pass but that CSSB 1597 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1597 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1650 and recognized Senator Shapleigh on behalf of the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Shapleigh sent up a committee substitute.

 

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

 

The Chair recognized Senator Shapleigh 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.

 

CSSB 1650 was left pending.

 

At 5:10 p.m., Senator Shapleigh assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1739 by Representative Hartnett 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.

 

House Bill 1739 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1973 by Representative Delisi and recognized the sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Nelson 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.

 

House Bill 1973 was left pending.

 

At 5:18 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1503 and recognized Senator Shapleigh on behalf of the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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.  

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 1503 do not pass but that CSSB 1503 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 nays, 2 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1503 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

At 5:35 p.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out HB 1739, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 1739 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 nays, 2 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that HB 1739 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out HB 1973, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute, and that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 1973 do not pass but that CSHB 1973 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 nays, 2 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSHB 1739 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

At 5:41 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 439, which had been previously left pending, and recognized its author, Senator Deuell.

 

Senator Deuell sent up a new committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the new committee substitute and the original committee substitute which had previously been adopted. 

 

Senator Nelson moved to reconsider the vote by which the original committee substitute to Senate Bill 439 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 439 do not pass but that CSSB 439 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 Nichols and West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 973 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell 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.

 

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

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 973 do not pass but that CSSB 973 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 Nelson requested that CSSB 973 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1274 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Shapleigh 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. 

 

Senator Nelson 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 1274 do not pass but that CSSB 1274 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 Deuell requested that CSSB 1274 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1429 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell 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.

 

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

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 1429 do not pass but that CSSB 1429 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 Nelson requested that CSSB 1429 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Senator Deuell announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1597; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 1597 and recognized the author, Senator Janek.

 

Senator Janek moved to reconsider the vote by which CSSB 1597 was reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed; without objection it was so ordered.

 

Senator Janek moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute to Senate Bill 1597 was adopted; without objection it was so ordered.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Janek moved that SB 1597 do not pass but that CSSB 1597 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 1597 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair announced Senator West's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1597, HB 1739, CSHB 1973, CSSB 1503, CSSB 439, CSSB 973, CSSB 1274 and CSSB 1429; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator Nichols' request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 439; without objection it was so ordered.

 

Senator Uresti announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 1503; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 6:21 p.m. the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

 

 

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Tiffany Arrington, Clerk