MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

9:30 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

*****

 

 

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Royce West

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

None

 

*****

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., the following business was transacted: 

 

The Chair laid out SB 894 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, 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 West moved that SB 894 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2443 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

At 10:00 a.m., a quorum was established.

 

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

 

Senator West moved that SB 2443 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:05 a.m., Senator Nichols assumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1705 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 West moved that SB 1705 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:15 a.m., Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1691 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 West moved that SB 1691 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1986 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 West moved that SB 1986 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1987 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 West moved that SB 1987 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 929 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Gallegos, Jr. then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 929 do not pass but that CSSB 929 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 930 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Gallegos, Jr. then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 930 do not pass but that CSSB 930 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 931 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Gallegos, Jr. then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 931 do not pass but that CSSB 931 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 932 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Gallegos, Jr. then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1503 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, 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 West moved that SB 1503 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2499 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, 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 West moved that SB 2499 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2458 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, 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 West moved that SB 2458 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:54 a.m., Senator West moved that the committee stand recessed until after 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 7:15 p.m., the committee reconvened. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1464 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 Nichols moved that SB 1464 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 2453 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 Nichols moved that SB 2453 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1790 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 1790 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1791 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 1791 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1792 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 1792 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1793 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West 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 West moved that SB 1793 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1896 and recognized the author, Senator Gallegos, Jr., to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West 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 Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 1896 do not pass but that CSSB 1896 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1979 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1979 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1337 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, 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 senate bill as filed.  Senator West 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 West moved that SB 1337 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2410 and recognized Senator Nichols, 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 2410 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2412 and recognized Senator Nichols, 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 2412 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2413 and recognized Senator Nichols, 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 2413 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 8:09 p.m., Senator Nichols assumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 978 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 West moved that SB 978 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2124 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West 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 West moved that SB 2124 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 8:21 p.m., Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 588 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 West moved that SB 588 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 660 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 West moved that SB 660 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 748 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 1 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 748 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 749 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 1 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 749 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 844 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 1 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 844 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 860 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 West moved that SB 860 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 880 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.  

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Hegar 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 West moved that SB 880 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 994 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Hegar 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 West moved that SB 994 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1104 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Hegar 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 West moved that SB 1104 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2479 and recognized Senator Hegar, 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 2479 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2460 and recognized Senator Hegar, 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 2460 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2250 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 West moved that SB 2250 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2466 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 2466 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2478 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 West moved that SB 2478 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1038 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 1 and Senator Gallegos, Jr. was recognized to explain 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.   

 

Senator West moved that SB 1038 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1039 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 1039 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2455 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., 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. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 2455 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 9:07 p.m. Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Tiffany White, Clerk