MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Tuesday, May 8, 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, May 8, 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

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:57 a.m.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 56 by Representative Isett and recognized the sponsor, Senator Duncan, 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.

 

At 9:01 a.m., a quorum was established.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 56 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 nays, 1 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that HB 56 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1230 by Representative Rodriguez and recognized the sponsor, 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.  

 

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

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1230 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 nays, 1 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Zaffirini requested that HB 1230 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek and Patrick 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 House Bill 56; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1579 by Representative Guillen and recognized the sponsor, 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 HB 1579 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 nays, 1 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that HB 1579 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 321 by Representative Dukes and recognized the sponsor, Senator Deuell, 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.

 

The Chair recognized Senator Deuell for closing remarks.

 

The Chair re-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 that HB 321 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 nays, 1 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Deuell requested that HB 321 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 662 by Representative Dukes and recognized the sponsor, Senator Ellis, 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 Shapleigh moved that HB 662 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 nays, 1 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Shapleigh requested that HB 662 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 948 by Representative Yvonne Davis and recognized the sponsor, Senator Ellis, 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 Deuell moved that HB 948 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 nays, 1 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Deuell requested that HB 948 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Patrick and Zaffirini 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 House Bill 662; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 2439 by Representative Truitt and recognized the sponsor, Senator Janek, 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.  

 

At 10:09 a.m., Senator Nichols assumed the Chair.

 

At 10:13 a.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

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

 

Senator Janek moved that HB 2439 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 nays, 1 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

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

 

At 10:16 a.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

Senator Janek announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 56, HB 1230, HB 1579 and HB 321; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 4062 by Representative Miller 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 engrossed. 

 

Senator Deuell  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 Nelson moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute to House Bill 4062 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Committee Amendment 1 was withdrawn.

 

House Bill 4069 was left pending.

 

At 10:32 a.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 654 by Representative Hilderbran and recognized Senator Uresti on behalf of the sponsor, Senator Fraser, 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 Uresti moved that HB 654 be reported favorably 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 HB 654 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

At 10:42 a.m., the Committee stood recessed.

 

At 3:44 p.m., the Committee reconvened.

 

At 3:26 p.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out HB 4062, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Shapleigh sent up Committee Amendment 1 on behalf of Senator Uresti and explained the amendment. 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 4062 do not pass but that CSHB 4062 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 4062 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

At 3:50 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1585 and recognized Senator Shapleigh on behalf of the author, Senator Gallegos, 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.

 

Senate Bill 1585 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1861 and recognized Senator Shapleigh on behalf of the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

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. 

 

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 Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

CSSB 1861 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1314 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, 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.

 

Senate Bill 1314 was left pending.

 

The Chair recalled Senate Bill 1314, and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, for closing remarks.

 

Senate Bill 1314 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 974 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, 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.

 

Senate Bill 974 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 690 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, 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.

 

Senate Bill 690 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out SB 892 and recognized Senator Uresti on behalf of the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senate Bill 892 was left pending.

 

The Chair announced Senator Zaffirini's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 321, HB 654, HB 662, HB 948, HB 2439 and CSHB 4062; without objection it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator Patrick's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on HB 56, HB 321, HB 662, HB 948, HB 1230, HB 1579 and HB 2439; without objection it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 6:32 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