MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
*****
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 Wednesday,
March 2, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin,
Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Todd Staples Senator Gonzalo
Barrientos
Senator Kim Brimer
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Jeff Wentworth
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 8:09 a.m. The
following business was transacted:
The chair laid out SB 170 and recognized the author, Senator
Harris, to explain the bill.
Senator Shapiro sent up a committee substitute; the chair
recognized Senator Harris to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. The chair opened SB
170 for public testimony. The chair moved that the public
testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. All
witnesses registering and/or testifying are shown on the
attached list. Senator Staples moved that SB 170 and the
committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 89 and recognized the author, Senator
Averitt, to explain the bill. The chair opened SB 89 for public
testimony. With there being no one wishing to register or
testify, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Staples moved
that SB 89 be left pending; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chair laid out SB 186 and recognized the author, Senator
Lindsay, to explain the bill. The chair opened SB 186 for
public testimony. The chair moved that the public testimony be
closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses
registering and/or testifying are shown on the attached list.
Senator Staples moved that SB 317 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 217 and recognized the author, Senator
Shapiro, to explain the bill. Senator Shapiro sent up committee
amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection the amendment
was adopted. The chair opened SB 217 for public testimony.
There being a quorum present at 8:40 a.m. the clerk called the
roll.
The chair resumed discussion on SB 217. The chair moved that
the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered. Witnesses registering and/or testifying are shown on
the attached list. Senator Shapiro requested unanimous consent
to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapiro then moved that
the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was
so ordered. Senator Staples moved that CSSB 217 be left
pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 8:50 a.m. Senator Shapiro assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 317 and recognized the author, Senator
Staples, to explain the bill. Senator Staples sent up committee
amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment
was adopted. The chair opened SB 317 for public testimony. The
chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses registering and/or
testifying are shown on the attached list. Senator Staples
requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a
committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Shapiro then moved that the committee substitute be
adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Staples
moved that CSSB 317 be left pending; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The chair laid out SCR 2 and recognized the author, Senator
Staples, to explain the bill. The chair opened SCR 2 for public
testimony. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses registering
and/or testifying are shown on the attached list. Senator
Staples moved that SCR 2 be left pending; without objection, it
was so ordered.
At 9:00 a.m. Senator Staples resumed the chair.
Previously SB 89 was laid out, Senator Lindsay moved that SB 89
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 Shapiro moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection it was so
ordered.
Previously SB 170 was laid out, Senator Staples moved that SB
170 and the proposed committee substitute be left pending.
Previously SB 186 was laid out, Senator Lindsay moved that SB
186 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.
Previously CSSB 217 was laid out and adopted, Senator Shapiro
moved that SB 217 do not pass but that CSSB 217 be reported back
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 Shapiro moved
that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection it was so ordered.
Previously CSSB 317 was laid out and adopted, Senator Staples
moved that CSSB 317 be left pending; without objection, it was
so ordered.
Previously SCR 2 was laid out, Senator Staples moved that SCR 2
be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Wentworth moved adoption of the minutes from the
previous hearing held on February 9, 2005; without objection, it
was so ordered.
Pursuant to a motion in writing, unanimous consent was requested
and granted for Senator Madla to be shown voting aye on SB 89,
SB 186, and SB 217. His votes are included in the total vote
for each bill listed above.
There being no further business, at 9:05 a.m. Senator Staples
moved that the committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
_____________________________
Senator Todd Staples, Chair
_____________________________
Patricia Gajda, Clerk