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MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, May 21, 2009

1:00 p.m.

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Thursday, May 21, 2009, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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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

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair advised that HB 1657 had been tagged pursuant to Senate Rule 11.19 and would not be heard. 

 

The chair laid out HJR 127 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, 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 HJR 127 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2524 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, 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 2524 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4461 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.  Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  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 Carona moved that HB 4461 do not pass but that CSHB 4461 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 Carona 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 HJR 127.  Senator Carona moved that HJR 127 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.   

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2524.  Senator Carona moved that HB 2524 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2256 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan 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 2256 do not pass but that CSHB 2256 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 451 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., 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 451 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2000 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 2000 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 756 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 Deuell moved that HB 756 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1117 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 1117 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1654 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 1654 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 677 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.  Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 677 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2690 and recognized Senator Deuell, 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. 

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Deuell moved that HB 2690 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out HB 2559 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 2559 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 556 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Harris, to explain the bill. 

Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Harris to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 556 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HJR 14 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair re-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 HJR 14 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 556.  Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Harris moved that HB 556 do not pass but that CSHB 556 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 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 677.Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 677 do not pass but that CSHB 677 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 HB 756.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 756 do not pass but that CSHB 756 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 HB 1117.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.    Senator Ellis moved that HB 1117 do not pass but that CSHB 1117 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1654.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 1654 do not pass but that CSHB 1654 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2559.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 2559 do not pass but that CSHB 2559 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 2 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2690.  Senator Jackson moved that HB 2690 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. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3552.Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 3552 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3922.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 3922 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.   

 

Senator Fraser asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following: HB 2256, HB 4461, and HJR 127; and nay on HB 2524.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Carona asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following:  HB 556, HB 677, HB 756, HB 1117, HB 1654, HB 2559, HB 2690, HB 3552, HB 3922; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Harris asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following:  HJR 127, HB 2524, HB 4461, and HB 2256; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Van de Putte asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following:  HB 2256, HJR 127, HB 2524, and HB 4461; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 6:45 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Erin Fry, Clerk