MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, March 26, 2007

1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment

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 Government Organization was held on Monday, March 26, 2007, in the Betty King Committee Hearing Room, 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Kim Brimer

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Jane Nelson

Senator John Whitmire

 

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:36 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 914 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, 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 914 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 913 and recognized Senator Shapleigh, 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 Ellis moved that SB 913 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 924 and recognized Senator Shapleigh, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Hegar requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; 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 924 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 3:44 p.m. Senator Hegar assumed the chair. 

 

At 3:50 p.m. Senator Ellis resumed the chair. 

 

At 3:51 p.m. the clerk called the roll. A quorum was present.

 

The chair called up SB 913. Senator Hegar moved that SB 913 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair called up CSSB 924.  Senator Hegar moved that SB 924 do not pass but that CSSB 924 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair called up SB 914.  Senator Hegar moved that SB 914 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 757 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Hegar requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; 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. 

 

The chair laid out SB 916 and recognized the author, Senator Shapleigh, 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 916 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Brimer asked to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 913, SB 924, and SB 914.

 

Senator Whitmire asked to be shown voting aye on the following bills:  SB 913, SB 924, and SB 914.

 

The chair called up CSSB 757.   Senator Hegar moved that SB 757 do not pass but that CSSB 757 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nelson asked to be shown voting aye on SB 757.

 

There being no further business, at 4:03 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

 

 

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Marisol Rodriguez, Clerk