MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION Wednesday, April 30, 2003 1:00 p.m. or upon adjournment 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 Government Organization was held on Wednesday, April 30, 2003, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Kenneth Armbrister Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Bill Ratliff Senator Teel Bivins Senator Kim Brimer Senator John Whitmire ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: The chair laid out SB 1154 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill. Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Shapleigh to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. No witnesses testified or registered on the bill. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis moved that SB 1154 do not pass but that CSSB 1154 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 1403 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill. Senator Brimer sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis moved that SB 1403 do not pass but that CSSB 1403 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out HB 1331 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wentworth moved that HB 1331 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 1 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 1879 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis moved that SB 1879 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 791 and recognized Senator Van de Putte, in the absence of the author, Senator West, to explain the bill. Senator Wentworth had a question regarding this bill. Senator Ellis moved that SB 791 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 1819 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Ellis moved that SB 1819 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. No action was taken on SB 790. There being no further business, at 2:40 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. ______________________ Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair ______________________ Karen Domino, Clerk