MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Thursday, April 10, 2003
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs
was held on Thursday, April 10, 2003, in the Capitol Extension,
Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff None
Senator Todd Staples
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
*****
There was no action taken for the following bill(s): SB 563.
Chairman Ratliff called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m., and
resumed the public testimony portion of the hearing on Article 2
of HB 4.
Chairman Ratliff temporarily interrupted public testimony in
order to take up and consider several bills. The chairman laid
out SB 993 (pending business) and HB 1822 and recognized the
author, Senator Armbrister, to explain the bills. Senator
Armbrister requested unanimous consent to substitute HB 1822 for
SB 993 since the committee substitute adopted at a previous
hearing and the house bill were identical and at the same stage;
without objection it was so ordered. Senator Armbrister moved
that HB 1822 be reported favorably to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion
carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not
voting, and 3 absent. Pursuant to a motion in writing,
unanimous consent was granted for Senator Ellis to be shown
voting aye (the 6 ayes include the motion in writing). Senator
Armbrister moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 496, which had been recommitted to the
committee, and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain
the bill. Senator Armbrister sent up a committee substitute;
the chair recognized Senator Janek to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Armbrister moved adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Staples moved that SB 496
do not pass but that CSSB 496 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, 1 nay, 0 present
not voting, and 3 absent.
Chairman Ratliff resumed the public testimony portion on Article
2 of HB 4. The chairman moved that the public testimony on
Article 2 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff opened the public testimony portion on Article
3 of HB 4. Senator Ellis assumed the chair and testimony
continued. Senator Ratliff resumed the chair and preceded to
outline the schedule for the afternoon hearing and the schedule
for next week. At 9:45 a.m., Senator Ratliff moved that the
committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate;
without objection, it was so ordered.
At 1:50 p.m., pursuant to unanimous consent being granted on the
senate floor to suspend the posting rule, the committee
reconvened in the Senate Chamber, and continued the public
testimony portion on Article 3 of HB 4. The chairman moved that
the public testimony on Article 3 be closed; without objection,
it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out SB 463 and recognized the author, Senator
Janek, to explain the bill. Senator Staples sent up a committee
substitute; the chair recognized Senator Janek to explain the
difference between the committee substitute and the bill as
filed. Senator Staples moved adoption of the committee
substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator
Staples moved that SB 463 do not pass but that CSSB 463 be
reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7
ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Pursuant to a
motion in writing, unanimous consent was granted for Senator
Nelson to be shown voting aye (the 7 ayes include the motion in
writing). Senator Armbrister moved that the bill be recommended
for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff opened the public testimony portion on Article
4 of HB 4. Senator Staples assumed the chair. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill during today's hearing
are shown on the attached list. Senator Ratliff resumed the
chair and testimony continued. The chairman moved that the
public testimony on Article 4 be closed; without objection, it
was so ordered.
Senator Ratliff announced that the committee will begin taking
testimony on Article 5 of HB 4 at 8:00a.m., Monday, April 14,
2003, in the Senate Chamber. At 6:25 p.m., Senator Ratliff moved
that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the
chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
________________________
Senator Bill Ratliff, Chairman
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Nancy B. Macken, Clerk