MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Tuesday, March 13, 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 Health & Human Services was held on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                      MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Jane Nelson                                                               

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Kyle Janek

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Carlos Uresti

Senator Royce West

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:06 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 744 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

At 9:10 a.m., a quorum was established.

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 744 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 nays, 0 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Deuell requested that SB 744 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators West and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 9:14 a.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 24 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

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; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

CSSB 24 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 760 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Nelson moved that SB 760 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 nays, 0 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that SB 760 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek, West and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 762 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.  

 

Senator Nelson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1 to SB 762; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved adoption of the new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that SB 762 do not pass but that CSSB 762 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 nays, 0 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 762 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek, West and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 761 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.  

 

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. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nelson moved that SB 761 do not pass but that CSSB 761 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 nays, 0 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 761 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators Janek, West and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:00 a.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

At 10:01 a.m., the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed.

 

At 10:19 a.m., the Committee reconvened.

 

At 10:20 a.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 759 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 1 orally and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Uresti moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1 to SB 759; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute and adopt the new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that SB 759 do not pass but that CSSB 759 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 nays, 0 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 759 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini announced her request to be shown voting aye on SB 744, SB 760, CSSB 761 and CSSB 762; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:38 a.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

At 10:39 a.m., the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed.

 

At 1:09 p.m., the Committee reconvened.

 

Senator West announced his request to be shown voting aye on SB 744, CSSB 759, SB 760, CSSB 761 and CSSB 762; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:10 p.m., Senator Shapleigh assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 206 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

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. 

 

At 1:13 p.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

At 1:14 p.m., Senator Shapleigh assumed the Chair.

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senate Bill 206 was left pending.

 

At 1:30 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

Senator Janek announced his request to be shown voting aye on SB 760, CSSB 761 and CSSB 762; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 362 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Janek moved that SB 362 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 nays, 3 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 409 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senate Bill 409 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 625 and recognized the author, Senator Janek, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senate Bill 625 was left pending.

 

At 3:52 p.m., Senator Janek assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 24 which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Nelson moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute to Senate Bill 24 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

Senator Nelson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1 to SB 24; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Shapleigh sent up Committee Amendment 2 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Shapleigh moved adoption of Committee Amendment 2 to SB 24; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that SB 24 do not pass but that CSSB 24 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 nays, 2 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 24 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 206 which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Patrick sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Patrick moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1 to SB 206; there was objection.  The motion to adopt Committee Amendment 1 to SB 206 carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 3 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nelson moved that SB 206 do not pass but that CSSB 206 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 nays, 3 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 206 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 4:08 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair announced Senator Zaffirini's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 24 and SB 362; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 4:08 p.m. the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

 

 

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Tiffany Arrington, Clerk