This website will be unavailable from Friday, April 26, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. through Monday, April 29, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. due to data center maintenance.

MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 14, 2009

1:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Senate Chamber

 

*****

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Thursday, May 14, 2009, in the Senate Chamber.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator John Carona

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

None

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 2:45 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 108 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony. 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 Duncan moved that HB 108 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 389 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 389 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1256 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 1256 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1265 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 1265 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SCR 70 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.   The chair opened public testimony.  There being no witnesses testifying or registering on the bill, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that SCR 70 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1945 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 1945 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1997 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.   The chair opened public testimony.  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 Duncan moved that HB 1997 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.     

 

The chair laid out HB 1457 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  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 Duncan moved that HB 1457 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1145 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 1145 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1995 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 1995 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out HB 551 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Harris, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 551 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out HB 1474 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Harris, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 1474 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The clerk called the roll.

 

The chair laid out HB 3216 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.  Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses 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 Duncan moved that HB 3216 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3602 and recognized Senator Carona, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  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 Duncan moved that HB 3602 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4402 and recognized Senator Carona, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair. 

 

The chair opened public testimony. 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 Deuell moved that HB 4402 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair moved the committee stand at ease; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SCR 70.  Senator Deuell moved that SCR 70 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 Deuell 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 HB 108.  Senator Deuell moved that HB 108 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 Jackson 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 HB 389.  Senator Deuell moved that HB 389 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 Deuell 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 HB 551.  Senator Harris moved that HB 551 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 Harris 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 HB 1145.  Senator Jackson moved that HB 1145 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 Jackson 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 HB 1256.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 1256 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 Harris 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 HB 1265.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 1265 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 Ellis 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 HB 1457. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 1457 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 Deuell 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 HB 1474.  Senator Harris moved that HB 1474 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 Lucio, Jr. 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 HB 1945.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 1945 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 Van de Putte 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 HB 1995.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 1995 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 Lucio, Jr. 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 HB 3216.  Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 3216 do not pass but that CSHB 3216 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 Ellis 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 HB 3602.  Senator Deuell moved that HB 3602 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 Deuell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.   

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1888 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute and was recognized to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Deuell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 1888 do not pass but that CSHB 1888 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 as a matter of pending business SB 317 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.  Senator Fraser moved that SB 317 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, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

Having been present while a quorum was established, Senator Carona asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SJR 70, HB 108, HB 389, HB 551, HB 1145, HB 1256, HB 1265, HB 1457, HB 1474, HB 1945, HB 1995, HB 3216, HB 3602 and HB 1888; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Having been present while a quorum was established, Senator Fraser asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SJR 70, HB 108, HB 389, HB 551, HB 1145, HB 1256, HB 1265, HB 1457, HB 1474, HB 1945, HB 1995, HB 3216, HB 3602 and HB 1888; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 4:35 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Erin Fry, Clerk