MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

9:30 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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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 22, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West Senator Robert Nichols Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Dan Patrick Senator Jeff Wentworth		None

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1222 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Eltife to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Upon arrival of a quorum, 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. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nichols moved that SB 1222 do not pass but that CSSB 1222 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

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

 

At 9:34 a.m., a quorum was established. 

 

Senator Nichols moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on April 15, 2009, and April 17, 2009; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2506 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 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 Nichols moved that SB 2506 do not pass but that CSSB 2506 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 2517 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 Patrick moved that SB 2517 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 Patrick moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1752 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, 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 1752 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 2507 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Patrick then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; 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 Patrick moved that SB 2507 do not pass but that CSSB 2507 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 2521 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, 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 2521 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 1672 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 1672 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 1483 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols 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 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 Nichols moved that SB 1483 do not pass but that CSSB 1483 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

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

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1375 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. 

 

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

 

Senator West requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator West then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; 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 1375 do not pass but that CSSB 1375 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

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

 

At 10:14 a.m., Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2148 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to roll Committee Amendment 1 into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Patrick then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; 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 Patrick moved that SB 2148 do not pass but that CSSB 2148 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 2473 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to roll Committee Amendment 1 into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Patrick then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; 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 Patrick moved that SB 2473 do not pass but that CSSB 2473 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2494 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 2494 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:30 a.m., Senator Nichols assumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2501 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 2501 do not pass but that CSSB 2501 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 2502 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 2502 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:45 a.m., Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2518 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 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 Nichols moved that SB 2518 do not pass but that CSSB 2518 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 2522 and recognized the author, Senator Gallegos, Jr., to explain the bill. 

 

There were no witnesses registered to testify on this bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 2522 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

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

 

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

 

At 3:30 p.m., Senator Nichols assumed the Chair and the committee reconvened. 

 

The Chair laid out HB 1300 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Davis, 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 HB 1300 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2069 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, to explain the bill. 

 

There were no witnesses registered to testify on this bill.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 2069 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 3:45 p.m., Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 2516 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 2516 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 3:50 p.m., Senator Nichols assumed the Chair. 

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 978 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.

 

Senator West moved that SB 978 do not pass but that CSSB 978 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 West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.    

 

At 3:52 p.m., Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 1995 and recognized the author, Senator Gallegos, Jr., to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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 1995 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 748 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to roll Committee Amendment 1 into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 748 do not pass but that CSSB 748 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 749 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to roll Committee Amendment 1 into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 749 do not pass but that CSSB 749 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 844 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to roll Committee Amendment 1 into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 844 do not pass but that CSSB 844 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 860 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 860 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. 

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 2467 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.    

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 2467 do not pass but that CSSB 2467 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. 

 

As a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 2472 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.    

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 2472 do not pass but that CSSB 2472 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. 

 

There being no further business, at 4:28 p.m. Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk