MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, March 5, 2007

3:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20

 

*****

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Government Organization was held on Monday, March 5, 2007, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Glenn Hegar Senator Kim Brimer Senator Jane Nelson		Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Mike Jackson Senator John Whitmire

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 3:45 p.m.  A quorum having been established at the last meeting, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 35 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Ellis moved that SB 35 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  A quorum was present. Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; there being no objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nelson moved that SB 35 do not pass but that CSSB 35 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 3 absent. Senator Nelson moved that CSSB 35 be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 457 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Ellis moved that SB 457 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nelson moved that SB 457 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 3 absent. Senator Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 72 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill. 

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Ellis moved that SB 72 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 316 and recognized Senator Nelson, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Nelson

 moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Nelson then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nelson moved that SB 316 do not pass but that CSSB 316 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 3 absent.  Senator Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 4:23 p.m. Senator Hegar assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 300 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Ellis moved that SB 300 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 3 absent.  Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 4:26 p.m. Senator Ellis resumed the chair. 

 

There being no further business, at 4:27 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Marisol Rodriguez, Clerk