MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, April 30, 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, April 30, 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 Mario Gallegos, Jr.

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Jane Nelson

Senator John Whitmire

 

None

 

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Senator Hegar called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Hegar laid out HB 66 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.  Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that HB 66 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Hegar laid out HB 119 and recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  Senator Hegar moved that HB 119 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hegar laid out HCR 30 and recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that HCR 30 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Hegar laid out HB 1449 and recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that HB 1449 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Hegar laid out HCR 15 and recognized Senator Jackson, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. 

 

At 6:12 p.m. Senator Ellis assumed the chair. 

 

The clerk called the roll at 6:12 p.m.  A quorum was established.

 

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

Senator Brimer moved that HCR 15 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair called up HB 66.

 

Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  Senator Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that HB 66 do not pass but that CSHB 66 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 119.

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 119  be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 HB 1449.

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 1449 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 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. 

 

Senator Gallegos, Senator Whitmire, and Senator Nelson asked to be shown voting with the chair.

 

The chair called up HCR 30.

 

Senator Brimer moved that HCR 30 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 SCR 38 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. 

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

Senator Hegar moved that SCR 38 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 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 933.

 

Senator Jackson moved that SB 933 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Jackson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 2054 and recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Brimer moved that HB 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 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Brimer moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1190 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

At 6:21 p.m. Senator Hegar assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hegar moved that SB 1190 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 6:28 p.m. Senator Hegar 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