MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Tuesday, March 4, 2003
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 4, 2003, in the Betty King
Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chairman None
Senator Kip Averitt, Vice Chairman
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Kim Brimer
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Tommy Williams
*****
Chairman Fraser called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The Chairman laid out SB 417 and SJR 22 and recognized the
author, Senator Harris, to explain the bills. Witnesses
testifying and registering on both bills are shown on the
attached list. The Chairman moved that the public testimony be
closed; without objection, it was so ordered. At the author's
request, the Chairman moved that the bills be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chairman laid out SB 374 and recognized the author, Senator
Williams, to explain the bill. Senator Williams sent up
Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list. The Chairman moved that SB 374 be left pending to await a
quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a
quorum, Senator Armbrister moved that Committee Amendment 1 be
adopted. Without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator
Armbrister requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment
into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so
ordered. Senator Armbrister then moved that the committee
substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Williams moved that SB 374 do not pass but that CSSB 374
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. Senator
Armbrister moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
At 9:35 a.m. Chairman Fraser moved that the committee stand
recessed for 15 minutes; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:00 a.m. the committee reconvened. Senator Williams
assumed the chair, laid out SB 127 and recognized the author,
Senator Fraser. Senator Fraser then laid out a proposed
committee substitute and explained the difference between the
bill as filed and the substitute. SB 126 and SB 128 had been
incorporated into the proposed substitute for SB 127. Senator
Fraser advised that he wanted to provide the opportunity for
review of the proposed substitute by the committee and other
interested parties. Further discussion would take place after
the Senate adjourned.
The Chairman read Motions in Writing: Unanimous Consent to Vote
submitted by Senator Averitt and Senator Brimer voting aye on SB
374. Without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chairman laid out SB 131, pending in committee, and
recognized the author, Senator Fraser. Senator Fraser sent up a
proposed committee substitute and explained the difference
between the substitute and the bill as filed. Philip Presley,
representing the Texas Department of Insurance, testified as a
resource on the bill. Senator Fraser pulled down the
substitute. The Chairman moved that the bill be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:20 a.m. the Chairman moved that the committee stand
recessed until 12:00 p.m; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 12:38 p.m. the committee reconvened, with Senator Williams in
the chair. The Chairman again laid out SB 127, as well as SB
126 and SB 128 which were pending in committee, and recognized
Senator Fraser for further discussion of the proposed substitute
incorporating these bills. Rob Schneider, representing
Consumers Union, testified on the aforementioned bills. The
Chairman moved that SB 126, SB 127 and SB 128 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chairman read a Motion in Writing: Unanimous Consent to Vote
submitted by Senator Van de Putte voting aye on SB 374. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 1:15 p.m. the Chairman moved
that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the
chairman. Without objection, it was so ordered.
__________________________
Senator Troy Fraser, Chairman
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Barbara Henderson, Clerk