MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

*****

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Wednesday, April 26, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

None

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Sylvia Garcia

 

 

Senator Don Huffines

 

 

Senator José Menéndez

 

 

Senator Van Taylor

 

 

 

*****

 

Senator Paul Bettencourt, the acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:18 AM.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Senator Van Taylor, and Senator Sylvia Garcia.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2243 and recognized the author, Senator Buckingham, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 2243 be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 2243 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1992 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 1992 be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1992 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 635 and recognized the author, Senator Huffines, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 635 be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 635 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1373 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 1373 be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1373 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1067 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 1067 be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1067 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:23 AM Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 965.  Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 965 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2256 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, in absence of the author, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 2256 be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 2256 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1043 and recognized Senator Garcia, in absence of the author, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 1043 be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1043 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1100 and recognized Senator Garcia, in absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Garcia sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Garcia to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  The Chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 1100 be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1100 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair moved the Committee stand at ease.

 

At 10:43 AM the Chair reconvened the Committee.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 635.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 635 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1043.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1043 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt 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 SB 1067.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1067 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1100.  Senator Bettencourt, moved that SB 1100 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt 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 SB 334.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 334 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Garcia 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 SB 1931 and the committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 1931 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Campbell 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 SB 1656.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 1656 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2256.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2256 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown present not voting.  Senator Bettencourt 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 SB 2243.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 2243 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2272 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 2272 be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 2272 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Taylor, V. submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:55 AM the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:58 PM the Chair reconvened the Committee.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1117 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 1117 be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1117 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1260 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 1260 be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1260 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2014 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony for SB 2014 be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 2014 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2248 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  Senator Garcia sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Creighton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Huffines moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 2248 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay.  Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 749.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 749 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Garcia 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 SB 1990.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 1990 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1992.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 1992 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Garcia 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 SB 965 and the committee substitute adopted previously in the hearing.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 965 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2244.  Senator Bettencourt sent up committee amendment number one.  The Chair recognized Senator Bettencourt to explain committee amendment number one.  Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of committee amendment number one; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt moved to roll the adopted amendment into the body of the bill to create a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2244 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2271 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2271 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1260.  Senator Taylor, V. moved that SB 1260 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2014.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 2014 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  Senator Garcia moved to withdraw the motion to report the bill to the full Senate; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 2014 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 5:03 PM the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Dilip Kanuga, Clerk