MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Friday, May 18, 2007

7:30 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Friday, May 18, 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 Dan Patrick Senator Jeff Wentworth		Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 7:55 a.m., the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 1637 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1 and upon arrival of a quorum, moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

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 1637 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nichols moved that HB 1637, as amended, 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. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3979 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 West moved that HB 3979 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nichols moved that HB 3979 be reported favorably 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. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, 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 4097 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 West moved that HB 4097 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nichols moved that HB 4097 be reported favorably 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. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, 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 4098 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 West moved that HB 4098 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nichols moved that HB 4098 be reported favorably 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. 

 

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

 

At 8:07 a.m., Senator West moved that the committee stand at ease until 8:15 a.m.

 

At 8:31 a.m. Senator West moved that the committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.18, was suspended to allow committee to meet during Session in the Betty King Room, 2E.20.

 

At 12:07 p.m. the committee reconvened. 

 

At 12:08 p.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 539 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. 

 

At 12:14 p.m. Senator West resumed the chair. 

 

At 12:15 p.m., a quorum was established.

 

Senator West moved that HB 539 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 12:20 p.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1751 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 Nichols moved that HB 1751 be reported favorably 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. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4015 and recognized Senator West, 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 Wentworth moved that HB 4015 be reported favorably 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. 

 

At 12:27 p.m. Senator West resumed the chair.  

 

The chair laid out HB 3862 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 West moved that HB 3862 be reported favorably 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. 

 

On a matter of pending business, Senator Nichols moved that HB 539 be reported favorably 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. 

 

At 12:45 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 West moved that HB 1397 do not pass but that CSHB 1397 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 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 12:47 p.m. Senator West moved that the Committee stand adjourned sine die. Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk