MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Monday, May 12, 2003
8:00 a.m.
Senate Chamber
*****
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 Monday, May 12, 2003, in the Senate Chamber at
Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Todd Staples
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
*****
Chairman Ratliff called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. A
quorum having been established, the following business was
transacted:
The chairman laid out HB 15 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Williams, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and
registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The
chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 15
be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so
ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Staples sent up
Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted. Senator Staples requested unanimous
consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute;
without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Staples then
moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Staples moved that HB 15
do not pass but that CSHB 15 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, 1 nay, 0 present not
voting, and 1 absent.
The chairman laid out HB 752 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Williams, to explain the bill. Senator Staples sent up
a committee substitute; the chairman recognized Senator Williams
to explain the difference between the committee substitute and
the bill as filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the
bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved that
the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered. Senator Staples moved adoption of the committee
substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Chairman
Ratliff moved that HB 752 be left pending to await a quorum;
without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum,
Senator Nelson moved that HB 752 do not pass but that CSHB 752
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
Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the
Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 1984 and recognized the Senate
sponsor, Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill. Witnesses
registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The
chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB
1984 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it
was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Armbrister
moved that HB 1984 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 Armbrister moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 928 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering
on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 928 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff laid out HB 1174 and recognized the Senate
sponsor, Senator Staples, to explain the bill. Witnesses
registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The
chairman moved that the public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB
1174 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it
was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Staples moved
that HB 1174 be reported favorably 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. Senator Nelson moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;
without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff passed the gavel to Senator Staples. Senator
Staples laid out HB 1171 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Ratliff, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying on
the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Staples moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Senator Staples moved that HB 1171 be left pending
to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon
arrival of a quorum, and with Senator Staples in the chair,
Senator Ratliff moved that HB 1171 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 Ratliff moved that
the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 671 and recognized Senator Staples, in
the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. The
chairman opened public testimony. There being no one present
wishing to testify or register on the bill, the chairman moved
that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 671 be left pending to
await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon
arrival of a quorum, Senator Armbrister moved that HB 671 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
Armbrister moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Chairman Ratliff laid out HB 296 and recognized Senator
Armbrister, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the
bill. Witnesses testifying on the bill are shown on the
attached list. The chairman moved that the public testimony be
closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Chairman Ratliff
moved that HB 296 be left pending to await a quorum; without
objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator
Harris moved that HB 296 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 Harris moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 2089 and recognized Senator Armbrister,
in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list. The chairman moved that the public testimony be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved
that HB 2089 be left pending to await a quorum; without
objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator
Nelson moved that HB 2089 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 Nelson moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 294 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill. Chairman Ratliff
opened public testimony. There being no one present wishing to
testify or register on the bill, the chairman moved that public
testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 294 be left pending to await a
quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a
quorum, Senator Staples moved that HB 294 be reported favorably
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. Senator Staples moved
that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 2093 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Staples, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on
the bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 2093 be left pending
to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon
arrival of a quorum, Senator Staples moved that HB 2093 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
Staples moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the
Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chairman laid out HCR 34 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Staples, to explain the resolution. The chairman opened
public testimony. There being no one present wishing to testify
or register on the resolution, the chairman moved that public
testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff moved that HCR 34 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HCR 13 and recognized Senator Armbrister,
in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the resolution.
The chairman opened public testimony. There being no one
present wishing to testify or register on the resolution, the
chairman moved that public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HCR 13
be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so
ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Staples moved that
HCR 13 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 Staples moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;
without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff laid out HCR 14 and recognized Senator
Armbrister, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the
resolution. The chairman opened public testimony. There being
no one present wishing to testify or register on the resolution,
the chairman moved that public testimony be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HCR 14
be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so
ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Staples moved that
HCR 14 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 Staples moved that the resolution
be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 581 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on
the bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 581 be left pending
to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon
arrival of a quorum, Senator Fraser moved that HB 581 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
Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the
Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 1948 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. The chairman opened public
testimony. There being no one present wishing to testify or
register on the bill, the chairman moved that public testimony
be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Chairman
Ratliff moved that HB 1948 be left pending to await a quorum;
without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum,
Senator Fraser moved that HB 1948 do not pass but that CSHB 1948
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
Fraser moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the
Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 1549 and recognized Senator Armbrister,
in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.
Senator Armbrister sent up a committee substitute; the chairman
recognized Senator Armbrister to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached
list. The chairman moved that the public testimony be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Armbrister moved
adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was
so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 1549 be left pending
to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon
arrival of a quorum, Senator Nelson moved that HB 1549 do not
pass but that CSHB 1549 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 Nelson moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 845 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Carona, to explain the bill. Witnesses registering on
the bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 845 be left pending
to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon
arrival of a quorum, Senator Nelson moved that HB 845 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
Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the
Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Chairman Ratliff laid out HCR 16 and recognized Senator
Armbrister, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the
resolution. Witnesses testifying on the resolution are shown on
the attached list. The chairman moved that the public testimony
be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Chairman
Ratliff moved that HCR 16 be left pending to await a quorum;
without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum,
Senator Armbrister moved that HCR 16 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 Harris moved
that the resolution be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman laid out HB 2359 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill. Senator Armbrister
sent up a committee substitute; the chairman recognized Senator
Armbrister to explain the difference between the committee
substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Armbrister sent up
Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the
amendment was adopted. Witnesses testifying and registering on
the bill are shown on the attached list. The chairman moved
that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was
so ordered. Chairman Ratliff sent up Committee Amendment 2;
without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator
Armbrister requested unanimous consent to roll the amendments
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.
Chairman Ratliff moved that HB 2359 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 11:36 a.m., Chairman
Ratliff moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the
call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
________________________
Senator Bill Ratliff, Chairman
______________________
Nancy B. Macken, Clerk