MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Monday, April 27, 2009

12:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Monday, April 27, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Kip Averitt

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Kevin Eltife

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Jane Nelson

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Royce West

Senator John Whitmire

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Tommy Williams

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 474.  Senator Averitt 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 Averitt moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that SB 474 do not pass but that CSSB 474 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator West and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 696.  Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 696 do not pass but that CSSB 696 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 756.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 756 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 801.  Senator Nelson moved that SB 801 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nay, 1 present not voting, and 4 absent.   

 

Senator Whitmire assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2084 and a committee substitute sent up at previous hearing.  Senator Ogden moved to pull down the committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ogden to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ogden moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 2084 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Ogden resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2240 and a committee substitute sent up at previous hearing.  Senator Zaffirini moved to pull down the committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Zaffirini sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 2240 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1497, and a committee substitute adopted at a previous hearing.  Senator Ogden moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute had previously been adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden moved to pull down the previously adopted committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Deuell sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Deuell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ogden moved that SB 1497 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2212 and a committee substitute sent up at previous hearing.  Senator Lucio moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 2212 do not pass but that CSSB 2212 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 6 absent.  

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 43.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SJR 43 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 6 absent. 

 

The chair laid out SB 798 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Zaffirini assumed 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.  Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 798 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nelson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 958 and recognized Senator Zaffirini, 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 Nelson moved that SB 958 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2442 and recognized Senator Zaffirini, 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 Nelson moved that SB 2442 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2350 and recognized Senator Zaffirini, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Zaffirini 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nelson moved that SB 2350 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There was no action taken for the following bill(s): SB 505.

 

There being no further business, at 4:53 p.m. Senator Nelson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Steve Ogden, Chair

 

 

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Amy Jeter, Clerk