MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

9:30 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Wednesday, May 9, 2007, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West Senator Robert Nichols Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Dan Patrick Senator Jeff Wentworth		None

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m., the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 1100 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 West moved that HB 1100 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that HB 1100 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2438 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson

 to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 West moved that HB 2438 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that HB 2438 do not pass but that CSHB 2438 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 0 absent. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1910 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, 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 West moved that HB 1910 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Wentworth moved that HB 1910 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:45 a.m., a quorum was established.

 

Senator Patrick moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on May 7, 2007; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1820 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 chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that HB 1820 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2054 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 Nichols moved that SB 2054 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 0 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 HB 3084 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Wentworth moved that HB 3084 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 0 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 HB 1401 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Gallegos, 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 Gallegos, Jr. moved that HB 1401 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1472 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Wentworth, 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 1472 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 0 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 HB 892 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator West then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that HB 892 do not pass but that CSHB 892 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 492 and recognized Senator Patrick, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Patrick sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Patrick  to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Patrick 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 Patrick moved that HB 492 do not pass but that CSHB 492 be reported back 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Patrick moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:26 a.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1551 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, 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 West moved that HB 1551 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:30 a.m. Senator West resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1669 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Nichols 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 West moved that HB 1669 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:36 a.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1886 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

Senator West moved that HB 1886 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:49 a.m. Senator West resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2618 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Nichols moved that HB 2618 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2338 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Gallegos, 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 Gallegos, Jr. moved that HB 2338 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3138 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Nichols moved that HB 3138 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 0 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 10:54 a.m. Senator West moved that the committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 6:00 p.m. the committee reconvened. 

 

The chair laid out HB 738 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

There were no persons registered to testify on this bill. 

 

Senator West moved that HB 738 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 6:05 p.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

On a matter of pending business, the chair laid out HB 1886 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, 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 West moved that HB 1886 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 6:27 p.m. Senator West resumed the chair. 

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out HB 1669 and Senator Nichols moved that HB 1669 do not pass but that CSHB 1669 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 536 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Nichols 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 Nichols moved that HB 536 do not pass but that CSHB 536 be reported back 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1720 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 6:32 p.m. Senator Patrick assumed the chair. 

 

Senator West sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

At 6:33 p.m. Senator West resumed the chair. 

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that HB 1720 do not pass but that CSHB 1720 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 6:37 p.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

On a matter of pending business, the chair laid out HB 1397 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator West moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that HB 1397 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3132 and recognized Senator West, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

There were no persons registered to testify on this bill.

 

Senator West moved that HB 3132 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, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 6:44 p.m. Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

                       

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk