MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence was held on Wednesday, February 25, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator John Carona Senator Chris Harris Senator Juan Hinojosa		Senator Robert Duncan Senator Kirk Watson

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.  The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 407 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 407 do not pass but that CSSB 407 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 2 absent.  Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out SB 279 and recognized Senator Nelson to explain the bill.  Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson 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.    Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 279 do not pass but that CSSB 279 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 2 absent.  Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.     

 

At 2:00 p.m. Senator Carona assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 431 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.  Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth 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 bill was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 432 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.  Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth 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 bill was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 445 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.  Senator Wentworth sent up 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.    Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Wentworth moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to roll Committee Amendment 1 into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Wentworth then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Wentworth moved that SB 445 do not pass but that CSSB 445 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 2 absent.    

 

At 3:00 p.m. Senator Gallegos, Jr. assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 446 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.  Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth 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.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Wentworth moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Wentworth moved that SB 446 do not pass but that CSSB 446 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 2 absent.  Senator Harris moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.       

 

At 3:30 the Committee stood in recess to await a quorum.

 

At 3:47 p.m. the Committee reconvened.   

 

There being no further business, at 3:56 p.m. Senator Harris moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair

 

 

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk