MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
9:00 a.m.
Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business &
Commerce was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2005, in the Betty King
Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser None
Senator Kip Averitt
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Kim Brimer
Senator John Carona
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
*****
Chairman Fraser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Senator Estes assumed the chair and laid out SB 332, which was
left pending at a previous hearing. Senator Estes recognized
the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Senator Fraser
sent up the committee substitute and explained the difference
between the committee substitute and the bill as filed.
Witnesses testifying on the bill are shown on the attached list.
At 10:59 a.m., Senator Fraser resumed the chair and moved that
the committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after the
adjournment of the Senate, and that testimony on SB 332 continue
at that time. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Fraser reconvened the committee hearing at 12:06 p.m.
Senator Estes assumed the chair. Public testimony on SB 332
continued. Upon completion of public testimony, the Chairman
moved that public testimony be closed. Without objection, it
was so ordered. The Chairman moved that SB 332 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Fraser resumed the chair and laid out SB 359. The
Chairman then recognized the author, Senator Harris to explain
the bill. Chairman Fraser called the first witness, Tom
"Smitty" Smith, Public Citizen's Texas Office, resource witness,
to testify. Witnesses registering for the bill, but not
testifying, are shown on the attached list. There being no
further witnesses wishing to testify Chairman Fraser moved that
public testimony be closed; however, Senator Brimer had an
additional question. Pubic testimony was reopened in order for
Burnie Burner, representing Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty
Rent-A-Car, to respond to Senator Brimer's questions. Following
Mr. Burner's testimony Senator Fraser moved that SB 359 be left
pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Fraser laid out SB 381 and recognized the author,
Senator Staples, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on
the bill, but not testifying, are shown on the attached list.
The Chairman moved that public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Carona moved that SB 381
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, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
Chairman Fraser laid out SB 382 and recognized the author,
Senator Staples, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on
the bill, but not testifying, are shown on the attached list.
The Chairman moved that public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Carona moved that SB 382
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, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
Chairman Fraser laid out the subcommittee report on SB 593 and
recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
Senator Estes moved that SB 593 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, 0 nay, 0
present not voting, and 1 absent.
Chairman Fraser read Motions in Writing requesting unanimous
consent to be shown voting aye submitted by: Senator Van de
Putte on SB 381, SB 382, and SB 593; Senator Averitt on SB 381,
SB 382, and SB 593; Senator Lucio on SB 381, SB 382, and SB 593.
Without objection, it was so ordered. These votes are included
in the final votes as shown on the aforementioned bills.
There being no further business, at 1:42 p.m. the Chairman moved
that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the
chairman. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Troy Fraser, Chairman
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Tatum Baker, Clerk