MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

7:30 a.m.

Capitol Extension, 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 Transportation and Homeland Security was held on Wednesday, April 4, 2007, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator John Carona

Senator Kim Brimer

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

None

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: 

Senator Kirk Watson

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Tommy Williams

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The chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.  There not being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 59 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Watson 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 roll was called; a quorum was present. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Shapiro sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Shapiro requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Shapiro then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Shapiro moved that SB 59 do not pass but that CSSB 59 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. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1260 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Seliger 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 1260 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1828 and recognized Senator Wentworth, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Wentworth moved that SB 828 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 Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1406 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 2

 

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 Wentworth requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Wentworth then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Wentworth moved that SB 1406 do not pass but that CSSB 1406 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1447 and recognized Senator Watson, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Individuals 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 Watson moved that HB 1447 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Watson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:05 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 11 as pending business and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona 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. 

 

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

 

Senator Carona moved that SB 11 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. 

 

At 9:25 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1363 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, 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 Williams moved that SB 1363 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:30 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1085 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

 

Individuals 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 Williams sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Williams then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Carona moved that SB 1085 do not pass but that CSSB 1085 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1354 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, 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 Carona moved that SB 1354 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1372 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Individuals registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

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

 

Senator Carona moved that SB 1372 do not pass but that CSSB 1372 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1787 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, 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 Carona moved that SB 1787 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:50 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 436 as pending business and in the absence of the author, explained the bill. 

 

Individuals registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair explained the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair moved that SB 876 do not pass but that CSSB 876 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. 

 

The chair moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 876 as pending business.

 

Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

The substitute was withdrawn without objection. 

 

The chair moved that SB 876 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1480 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Brimer 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 1480 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1808 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Brimer to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Senator Brimer sent up Committee Amendment 1 to the substitute. 

 

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 amendment was withdrawn without objection.

 

The substitute was withdrawn without objection.

 

The chair moved that SB 1808 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1723 as pending business and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 to the substitute and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Ellis requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis moved that SB 1723 do not pass but that CSSB 1723 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 Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1794 as pending business.

 

Individuals registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1794 do not pass but that CSSB 1794 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1252 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

At 10:36 a.m. Senator Brimer assumed the chair. 

 

At 10:39 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

At 10:41 a.m. Senator Carona resumed 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. 

 

The chair moved that SB 1252 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1251 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Brimer 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 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 1251 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:49 a.m. Senator Carona moved that the committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 1:33 p.m. the committee reconvened. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1384 as pending business and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Watson moved that SB 1384 do not pass but that CSSB 1384 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1267 as pending business

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

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 Shapleigh sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

At 1:49 p.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Carona sent up Committee Amendment 2.  The amendment was withdrawn without objection. 

 

Senator Carona sent up Committee Amendment 3 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

At 1:53 p.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair. 

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1267 do not pass but that CSSB 1267 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1688 as pending business and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Senator Brimer sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Watson requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendment 1 into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Watson then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Watson moved that SB 1688 do not pass but that CSSB 1688 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1689 as pending business and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The substitute was withdrawn without objection. 

The chair moved that SB 1689 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1690 as pending business and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Senator Watson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

The substitute and Amendment 1 were withdrawn without objection.

 

The chair moved that SB 1690 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 2:34 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 84 and recognized Senator Carona to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Individuals 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 Carona moved that HB 84 do not pass but that CSHB 84 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 Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 2:38 p.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair. 

 

There being no further business, at 2:39 p.m. Senator Carona moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator John Carona, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

John W. Webb, Clerk