MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Monday, May 18, 2009

8:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security was held on Monday, May 18, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator John Carona Senator Kirk Watson Senator Wendy Davis Senator Robert Nichols Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Rodney Ellis		Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Joan Huffman

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 537 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 646 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 4465 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. There being no witnesses, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 3057 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. The witness registering on the bill is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

At 8:13 a.m. Senator Wentworth assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 548 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Carona sent up Committee Amendment 1.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 2556 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 2642 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.  Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

At 8:20 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 3082 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 3070 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. The witness testifying on the bill is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 4493 and recognized Senator Shapleigh, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. The witness registering on the bill is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 3433 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 2644 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 300 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2644.

 

Senator Nichols moved to withdraw the committee substitute that had previously been sent up; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1.

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

At 9:10 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 300.

 

Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute.

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 3621 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 opened public testimony on 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 4102 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 3650 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Carona sent up Committee Amendment 1.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. The witness testifying on the bill is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

At 9:37 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 537.  

 

Senator Wentworth moved that HB 537 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 as a matter of pending business HB 646.  

 

Senator Wentworth moved that HB 646 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Wentworth 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 3057.  

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 3057 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Watson 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 3070.  

 

Senator Wentworth moved that HB 3070 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Wentworth 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 3082.  

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that HB 3082 do not pass but that CSHB 3082 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 as a matter of pending business HB 4465.  

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 4465 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Watson 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 4493.  

 

Senator Wentworth moved that HB 4493 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Wentworth 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 3433.  

 

Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 3433 do not pass but that CSHB 3433 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

Senator Watson 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 2644.  

 

Senator Nichols moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols moved that HB 2644, as amended, be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

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

 

At 9:44 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2642.  

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 2642 do not pass but that CSHB 2642 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 HB 2556.  

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 2556 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 HB 3621.  

 

Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Shapleigh sent up Committee Amendment 1 to CSHB 3621.   Senator Shapleigh moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Carona requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Carona then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 3621 do not pass but that CSHB 3621 as amended be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 4102.  

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 4102 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 HB 548.

 

Senator Carona moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1 that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 548 as amended be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 HB 4311.

 

Senator Carona moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 1; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1831.  

 

Senator Carona moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 1 that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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.  Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 1831 do not pass but that CSHB 1831 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

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

 

At 9:54 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair.

 

The chair moved to adopt Senator Ellis' motion in writing; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 9:56 a.m. Senator Watson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator John Carona, Chair

 

 

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Kelsey Erickson, Clerk