MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

9:00 a.m.

Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20

 

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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, February 20, 2007, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser, Chairman Senator Chris Harris, Vice Chairman Senator Kip Averitt Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Craig Estes Senator Kyle Janek Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Leticia Van de Putte Senator Kirk Watson		None

 

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Chairman Fraser called the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce to order at 9:04 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chairman welcomed the Committee members, and announced that the Committee's regular meeting schedule will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Betty King Committee Room.  Chairman Fraser advised that the Committee will begin its regular meetings on Tuesdays and will add Thursdays to the schedule as the workload increases.

Chairman Fraser laid out the Committee Rules which were previously provided to the members for their review.  Senator Lucio moved adoption of the Committee Rules.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 324 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, 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 Harris moved that SB 324 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.  

At 9:20 a.m. Senator Harris assumed the chair.  

The chair laid out SB 482, SB 483, SB 484, SB 485 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bills.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list.  

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.18, was suspended to hear the following bill: 

SB 444

The chair laid out SB 444 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.  

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

At 10:32 a.m. Senator Harris moved that the committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after the adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered.  

At 12:35 p.m. the committee reconvened.  Senator Watson assumed the chair.  

Testimony continued on SB 444, SB 482, SB 483, SB 484, and SB 485.

At 1:51 p.m. the Chairman read a Motion in Writing:  Unanimous Consent to Vote  

submitted by Senator Lucio voting aye on SB 324.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:32 p.m. Senator Fraser assumed the chair.  

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 444, SB 482, SB 483, SB 484, and SB 485.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Fraser moved that SB 444, SB 482, SB 483, SB 484, and SB 485 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  

There being no further business, at 4:15 p.m. Chairman Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chairman.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  

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Senator Troy Fraser, Chairman

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk