MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 5, 2007

9:00 a.m.

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Monday, March 5, 2007, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Tommy Williams Senator John Carona Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Troy Fraser Senator Chris Harris Senator Mike Jackson Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Leticia Van de Putte		None

 

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Senator Leticia Van de Putte, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Van de Putte requested the roll call.  Senators Carona, Harris, Jackson, Lucio, Jr., and Van de Putte were all present.

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called: 

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Tommy Williams

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Troy Fraser

 

There being a quorum established at 9:15 a.m., the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 22 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

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 Van de Putte moved that SB 22 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 458 and recognized the author, 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 Van de Putte moved that SB 458 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Van de Putte moved that SB 458 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Duncan, as chair, moved that SB 458 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Having been present when a quorum was established, Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to be shown voting AYE on SB 458. Without objection it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out SB 23 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 Van de Putte moved that SB 23 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:58 a.m. Senator Duncan assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 129 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the author, 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 Duncan moved that SB 129 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 123 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill. 

Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Carona 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.  The Chair left the bill pending temporarily.  Senator Duncan moved that SB 123 do not pass but that CSSB 123 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Having been present when a quorum was established, Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to be shown voting AYE on SB 123. Without objection it was so ordered. Senator Harris moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 468 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill. 

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

 

At 11:45 a.m. Senator Carona assumed the chair. 

At 11:51 a.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

Senator Duncan moved that SB 468 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 12:14 p.m. Senator Carona assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SJR 3 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte offered a committee amendment to SJR 3. Senator Duncan requested unanimous consent to roll the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that SJR 3 do not pass but that CSSJR 3 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Having been present when a quorum was established, Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to be shown voting AYE on CSSJR 3.  Without objection it was so ordered.

 

At 12:40 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 210 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis. Senator Ellis moved that SB 210 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   Having been present when a quorum was established, Senator Williams requested unanimous consent to be shown voting AYE on SB 210. Without objection it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 12:42 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Anna Beth White, Clerk