MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE SENATE

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

8:00 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 Committee of the Whole Senate was held on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator John Carona
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator David Dewhurst
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Chris Harris Senator Glenn Hegar
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Joan Huffman
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Dan Patrick
Senator Jose Rodriguez
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Kirk Watson
Senator Jeff Wentworth
Senator Royce West
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Tommy Williams
Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

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Pursuant to the passage of Senate Resolution 79 on Monday, January 24, 2011, Senator Robert Duncan called the Committee of the Whole Senate to order at 12:37 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Duncan recognized Senator Fraser on SB 14, relating to the requirements to vote, including presenting proof of identification; providing criminal penalties.  Debate on SB 14 resumed.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved to enter exhibit #4 into the record (Texas drivers photo identification of Reymundo Martinez).  Without objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved to enter exhibit #5 into the record (Spencer Overton letter).  Without objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

At 2:18 p.m., Senator Duncan announced that the Committee of the Whole would stand at ease.

 

At 2:32 p.m., the Committee of the Whole resumed discussion on SB 14.  

 

Senator Van de Putte moved to enter exhibit #6 into the record (Texas Legislative Council map).  Without objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Senator Davis moved to enter exhibit #7 into the record (flow chart of the photo identification process).

 

Senator Fraser moved to enter exhibit #8 into the record (Lighthouse Opinion Poll).

 

Senator Duncan called the following persons to provide invited testimony on SB 14 (see attached list).

 

Senator Eltife assumed presiding duties at 3:57 p.m.

 

Senator Duncan resumed presiding duties at 4:13 p.m.

 

Senator Eltife assumed presiding duties at 4:23 p.m.

 

Senator Duncan resumed presiding duties at 4:48 p.m.

 

At 5:28 p.m., Senator Duncan announced that the Committee of the Whole would stand at ease.

 

At 5:45 p.m., the Committee of the Whole resumed testimony on SB 14.  Senator Duncan recognized resource witnesses to respond to questions from members.

 

Senator Duncan announced that exhibit #9 (Rebecca Davio DPS map) would be entered into the record.

 

Senator Eltife assumed presiding duties at 5:55 p.m. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed presiding duties at 6:07 p.m.

 

Senator Deuell assumed presiding duties at 7:25 p.m.

 

Senator Duncan resumed presiding duties at 7:32 p.m.

 

Senator West entered exhibit #10 into the record (Letter from Texas Congressional Democrats opposing SB 14).  Without objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Senator Duncan called the following persons to provide public testimony on SB 14 (see attached witness list).

 

With no other witnesses registered, Senator Duncan moved that public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Van de Putte entered exhibit #11 into the record (Testimony from Lydia Camarrio, Vice President, of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project).  Without objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Senator West entered exhibit #12 into the record (Letter from LULAC regarding opposition to SB 14).  Without objection, the motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

 

Senator Fraser moved that SB 14 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 20 ayes, 12 nays, 0 absent and 0 present not voting.

 

Senator Duncan recognized Senator Wentworth at 9:18 p.m., who moved that the Committee of the Whole Senate rise and report progress.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Patsy Spaw, Secretary of the Senate