MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Monday, March 17, 2003
1:30 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 Monday, March 17, 2003, in the Senate Chamber at
Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff None
Senator Todd Staples
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
*****
Chairman Ratliff called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chairman announced the committee's schedule with regards to
hearing HB 4 by Nixon. The committee will begin deliberations
on the bill as soon as the bill is received by the senate and
referred to State Affairs.
The chairman laid out SB 339 and recognized the author, Senator
Nelson, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and
registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The
chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nelson moved that SB 339
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.
Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous consent was requested
and granted for Senators Armbrister, Staples, Duncan, and Harris
to be shown voting aye (the 9 ayes include the motions in
writing). Senator Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 313 and recognized Senator Ellis, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis
sent up a committee substitute; the chairman recognized Senator
Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute
and the bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on
the bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Senator Nelson moved that SB 313 do not pass but
that CSSB 313 (the Ellis substitute) 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. Pursuant to motions in
writing, unanimous consent was requested and granted for
Senators Armbrister, Staples, Duncan, and Harris to be shown
voting aye (the 9 ayes include the motions in writing). Senator
Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the
Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 693 and recognized the author, Senator
Gallegos, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis sent up a
committee substitute; the chairman recognized Senator Gallegos
to explain the difference between the committee substitute and
the bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the
bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Madla sent up
Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted. Senator Madla sent up Committee
Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment
was adopted. Senator Madla requested unanimous consent to roll
the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection,
it was so ordered. The chairman moved that the public testimony
be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Madla
moved that SB 693 do not pass but that CSSB 693 (the Ellis
substitute with the amendments rolled in) 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. Pursuant to motions in
writing, unanimous consent was requested and granted for
Senators Armbrister, Duncan, and Harris to be shown voting aye
(the 9 ayes include the motions in writing).
The chairman laid out SB 421 and recognized the author, Senator
Carona, to explain the bill. Senator Nelson sent up a committee
substitute; the chairman recognized Senator Carona to explain
the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as
filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are
shown on the attached list. The chairman moved that the public
testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 421 do not pass but that CSSB 421
(the Nelson substitute) 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. Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous
consent was requested and granted for Senators Armbrister,
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Minutes
Monday, March 17, 2003
page 3
Staples, Duncan, and Harris to be shown voting aye (the 9 ayes
include the motions in writing). Senator Nelson moved that the
bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 482 and recognized the author, Senator
Madla, to explain the bill. Senator Nelson sent up a committee
substitute; the chairman recognized Senator Nelson to explain
the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as
filed. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the
attached list. The chairman moved that the public testimony be
closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Madla
moved that SB 482 do not pass but that CSSB 482 (the Nelson
substitute) 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. Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous
consent was requested and granted for Senators Armbrister,
Duncan, Fraser, and Harris to be shown voting aye (the 9 ayes
include the motions in writing). Senator Madla moved that the
bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 599 and recognized Senator Ellis, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis
sent up a committee substitute; the chairman recognized Senator
Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute
and the bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on
the bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and
moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Ellis requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment
into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so
ordered. Senator Ellis moved that SB 599 do not pass but that
CSSB 599 (the Ellis substitute with the amendment rolled in) 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. Pursuant to
motions in writing, unanimous consent was requested and granted
for Senators Duncan and Harris to be shown voting aye (the 9
ayes include the motions in writing). Senator Nelson moved that
the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 244 and recognized the author, Senator
West, to explain the bill. Senator Nelson sent up a committee
substitute; the chairman recognized Senator West to explain the
difference between the committee substitute and the bill as
filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are
shown on the attached list. The chairman moved that the public
testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 244 do not pass but that CSSB 244
(the Nelson substitute) be reported back to the Senate with the
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Minutes
Monday, March 17, 2003
page 4
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. Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous
consent was requested and granted for Senators Duncan and Harris
to be shown voting aye (the 9 ayes include the motions in
writing).
The chairman laid out SB 653 and recognized the author, Senator
Wentworth, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and
registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The
chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nelson moved that SB 653
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.
Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous consent was requested
and granted for Senators Duncan and Harris to be shown voting
aye (the 9 ayes include the motions in writing). Senator Nelson
moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 695 and recognized the author, Senator
Janek, to explain the bill. Senator Armbrister sent up a
committee substitute; the chairman recognized Senator Janek to
explain the difference between the committee substitute and the
bill as filed. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list. The chairman moved that the public testimony
be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator
Armbrister moved that SB 695 do not pass but that CSSB 695 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. Pursuant to
motions in writing, unanimous consent was requested and granted
for Senators Duncan and Harris to be shown voting aye (the 9
ayes include the motions in writing). Senator Staples moved
that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 735 and recognized Senator Staples, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list. The chairman moved that the public testimony be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Staples moved
that SB 735 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. Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous
consent was requested and granted for Senators Duncan and Harris
to be shown voting aye (the 9 ayes include the motions in
writing).
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Minutes
Monday, March 17, 2003
page 5
The chairman laid out SB 579 and recognized Senator Madla, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Witnesses
registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The
chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Madla moved that SB 579
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.
Pursuant to motions in writing, unanimous consent was requested
and granted for Senators Duncan and Harris to be shown voting
aye (the 9 ayes include the motions in writing). Senator Madla
moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 555 and recognized Senator Madla, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. The chairman
then opened testimony; in the absence of anyone wishing to
testify or register on the bill, testimony was closed without
objection. Senator Madla sent up Committee Amendment 1 and
moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Madla moved that SB 555, 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 9 ayes, 0
nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Pursuant to motions in
writing, unanimous consent was requested and granted for
Senators Duncan and Harris to be shown voting aye (the 9 ayes
include the motions in writing).
There being no further business, Chairman Ratliff moved that the
Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chairman.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
________________________
Senator Bill Ratliff, Chairman
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Nancy B. Macken, Clerk