MINUTES
Monday, March 10, 2003
10:00 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 Infrastructure Development
and Security Committee was held on Monday, March 10, 2003, in
the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Steve Ogden None
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Jeff Wentworth
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Senator Deuell moved adoption of the minutes from the previous
hearing held on March 3, 2003. Senator Lindsay seconded the
motion; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair referred the following bills to the Special Select
Subcommittee for further
consideration: SB 434
by Nelson, relating to
the issuance of urban
forestry license plates;
SB 539 by Williams,
relating to special
license plates for
passenger cars and light
trucks owned by or used
for the transportation
of veterans with
disabilities; SB 557 by
Madla, relating to
specialty
license plates benefitting an organization whose principal
purpose is the improvement or preservation of Big Bend National
Park; SB 715 by Lindsay, relating to the issuance of share the
road license plates; and SB 746 by Williams, relating to special
Texas constable license plates.
The chair laid out SB 514, relating to restricting the use of
designated lanes of certain highways, and recognized the author,
Senator Lindsay, to explain the bill. Senator Ogden moved that
SB 514 be left pending awaiting public testimony.
The chair laid out SB 716, relating to causeways, bridges,
tunnels, turnpikes, and highways in certain counties bordering
the Gulf of Mexico and in adjacent counties, and recognized the
author, Senator Lindsay, to explain the bill. Senator Ogden
moved that SB 716 be left pending awaiting public testimony.
The chair laid out SB 441, relating to the transportation by
motor vehicle of persons within the boundaries of certain
airports; creating an offense, and recognized the author,
Senator Harris, to explain the bill. Senator Ogden moved that
SB 441 be left pending awaiting public testimony.
The chair laid out SB 461, relating to the operation of
authorized emergency vehicles, and recognized the author,
Senator Staples, to explain the bill. Senator Wentworth sent up
a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Staples to
explain the difference between the committee substitute and the
bill as filed. Senator Ogden moved that SB 461 be left pending
awaiting public testimony.
The chair laid out SB 540, relating to the authority of the
commissioners court of a county to alter speed limits on county
roads, and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain
the bill. Senator Lindsay sent up Committee Amendment 1 and
moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Lindsay requested unanimous consent to roll the
amendment into a new committee substitute; without objection, it
was so ordered. Senator Ogden moved that SB 540 be left pending
awaiting public testimony.
The chair laid out SB 724, relating to the settlement of certain
claims against the Texas Department of Transportation, and
recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.
Senator Ogden moved that SB 724 be left pending awaiting public
testimony.
At 10:25 a.m. Senator Barrientos assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 661, relating to the definition of a
highway emergency for purposes of expedited contracting, and
recognized the author, Senator Ogden, to explain the bill.
Senator Barrientos moved that SB 661 be left pending awaiting
public testimony.
The chair laid out SB 663, relating to an additional cost on
conviction of an offense for roadway safety and traffic
Minutes
Monday, March 10, 2003
page 3
enforcement, and recognized the author, Senator Ogden, to
explain the bill. Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment
1. Senator Barrientos moved that SB 663 be left pending
awaiting public testimony.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 514. 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 Ogden moved that SB 514
be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 716. 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 Ogden moved that SB 716
be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 441. 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 Ogden moved that SB 441
be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 461. 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 Ogden moved that SB 461
be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 540. 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 Ogden moved that SB 540
be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 724. 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 Ogden moved that SB 724
be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 11:10 a.m. Senator Barrientos assumed the chair.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 661. 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 Barrientos moved that SB
661 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Public testimony was then taken on SB 663. 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 Barrientos moved that SB
663 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Minutes
Monday, March 10, 2003
page 4
At 11:32 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 305 by Barrientos, relating to specialized
license plates and parking placards for vehicles of persons with
disabilities, which had been left pending from a previous
hearing. Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the
chair recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Wentworth moved adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapiro moved that SB 305
do not pass but that CSSB 305 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.
The chair laid out SB 404 by Madla, relating to advanced
transportation districts, which had been left pending from a
previous hearing. Senator Madla sent up a committee substitute;
the chair recognized Senator Madla to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Madla moved adoption of the committee substitute; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Shapleigh moved that SB
404 do not pass but that CSSB 404 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 Madla moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar
and Senator Barrientos seconded the motion; without objection,
it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 439 by Lindsay, relating to a motor
vehicle with an altered or obscured license plate, which had
been left pending from a previous hearing. Senator Wentworth
moved that SB 439 be reported favorably 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.
At 11:39 a.m. Senator Barrientos assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 660, relating to the penalty for certain
speeding offenses, which had been left pending from a previous
hearing. Senator Ellis moved that SB 660 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, 1
nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
At 11:46 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.
There being no further business, at 11:47 a.m. Senator Ogden
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Minutes
Monday, March 10, 2003
page 5
______________________
Senator Steve Ogden, Chair
______________________
Amy Schwartz, Clerk