MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, May 9, 2011

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Monday, May 9, 2011, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

None

Senator Bob Deuell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Rodney Ellis

 

 

Senator Troy Fraser

 

 

Senator Joan Huffman

 

 

Senator Mike Jackson

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

 

Senator Tommy Williams

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out HB 2920 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, 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 2920 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1904 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 1904 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1503 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nichols, 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 1503 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2959 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 2959 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

At 9:25 AM Senator Duncan reconvened the meeting.

 

The chair laid out HB 336 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Rodriguez, to explain the bill. Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodriguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 336 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 184 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, 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 184 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1094 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Wentworth, 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 1094 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1570 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Williams, 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 1570 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2277 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Williams, 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 2277 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1789 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Duncan moved that HB 1789 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3255 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, 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 HB 3255 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2154 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 2154 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2144 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, 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 2144 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 360 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 Ellis moved that HB 360 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 184.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 184 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Huffman 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 1094.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 1094 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion failed with a record vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator Duncan moved that HB 1094 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1503.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 1503 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 nays, 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 1570.  Senator Williams moved that HB 1570 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Williams 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 1789.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 1789 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 nays, 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 2144.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 2144 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 nays, 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 2154.  Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis moved that HB 2154 do not pass but that CSHB 2154 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 nays, 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 2277. Senator Williams moved that HB 2277 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Williams 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 2920.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 2920 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 nays, 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 295. Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser moved that HB 2959 do not pass but that CSHB 2959 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Fraser 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 3255.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 3255 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 nays, 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.

 

Senator Deuell requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills: HB 184, HB 1503, HB 1570, HB 2144, HB 2154, HB 2277, HB 2920, HB 2959 and HB 3255; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Fraser asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills: HB 184, HB 1503, HB 1570, HB 2144, HB 2154 and HB 2277; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio asked unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills: HB 184, HB 1503, HB 1570, HB 2144, HB 2154, HB 2277, HB 2920, HB 2959 and HB 3255; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1128 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Jackson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The chair opened public testimony. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1128 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 10:50 AM Senator Ellis 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