MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Friday, May 18, 2007

3:00 p.m. or upon adjournment,

Senate Chamber, Senator Duncan's Desk

 

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Friday, May 18, 2007, in the Senate Chamber, Senator Duncan's Desk , in Austin, TX.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Tommy Williams

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

Senator John Carona

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.  Senators Duncan, Ellis, Fraser, Harris, Lucio, Jr., and Van de Putte were all present.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 2265 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Van de Putte sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 2265, as amended, be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion failed by a record vote of 3 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. 

 

The chair laid out HB 497 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  Senator Ellis moved that HB 497 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 3 absent. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1495 and, in the absence of the Senate sponsor explained the bill.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 1495 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 3 absent.

 

The chair laid out HB 2823 and, in the absence of the Senate sponsor explained the bill. Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 2823 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 3 absent.   

 

The chair laid out HCR 35 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.  Senator Ellis moved that HCR 35 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 3 absent. 

 

At 3:52 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 7:03 p.m. the committee reconvened. 

 

Senator Duncan requested the roll call.  Senators Duncan, Williams, Ellis, Harris, Jackson, Lucio, Jr., and Van de Putte were all present.  A quorum was established at 7:03 p.m.

 

The chair laid out HB 473 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte moved to withdraw the previously offered substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 473 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 2 absent. 

 

At 7:06 p.m. Senator Van de Putte assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 647 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Duncan moved to withdraw HB 647 for consideration.

 

The chair laid out HB 1613 and recognized Senator Duncan, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Duncan sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  The chair moved that HB 1613, 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 7 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

At 7:12 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1919 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Van de Putte sent up Committee Amendment 2 and Senator Williams moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Van de Putte sent up Committee Amendment 3 and Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Van de Putte moved that HB 1919, 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 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. 

 

There being no further business, at 7:25 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