MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Tuesday, May 1, 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, May 1, 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 9:01 a.m.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 3169 by Representative Swinford and recognized the sponsor, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

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.

 

House Bill 3169 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 416 by Representative Strama and recognized the sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair sent up a committee substitute and recognized Senator Watson 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.

House Bill 416 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 2683 by Representative Chisum and recognized the sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Estes 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.

 

At 9:55 a.m., a quorum was established.

 

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

 

Senator Deuell moved that HB 2683 do not pass but that CSHB 2683 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. 

 

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

 

The Chair laid out HB 3169, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Deuell moved that HB 3169 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 HB 3169 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out HB 416, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 416 do not pass but that CSHB 416 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 HB 3169 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 2685 by Representative Chisum and recognized the sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute.

 

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

 

The Chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

At 10:01 a.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.

 

CSHB 2685 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1866 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 1866 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 246 by Representative Alonzo and recognized the sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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.

 

House Bill 246 was left pending.

The Chair laid out House Bill 1396 by Representative Dukes and recognized the sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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.

 

House Bill 1396 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1095 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Uresti sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Uresti 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 1095 was left pending.

 

At 10:45 a.m., the Committee stood recessed.

 

At 6:13 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair and the Committee reconvened.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1481 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair sent up a committee substitute and recognized Senator Brimer 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 Deuell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 1481 do not pass but that CSSB 1481 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 Deuell requested that CSSB 1481 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 518 by Representative Naishtat and recognized the sponsor, Senator Brimer, 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 Nichols moved that HB 518 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  nays, 2  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Janek requested that HB 518 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1095, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

Senator Uresti moved that SB 1095 do not pass but that CSSB 1095 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0  nays, 1  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Uresti requested that CSSB 1095 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1866, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

Senator Janek moved that SB 1866 do not pass but that CSSB 1866 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0  nays, 1  absent and 0  present not voting.   

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1866 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out HB 246, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

Senator Shapleigh moved that HB 246 do not pass but that CSHB 246 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0  nays, 1  absent and 0  present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSHB 246 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out HB 1396, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

Senator Shapleigh moved that HB 1396 do not pass but that CSHB 1396 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0  nays, 1  absent and 0  present not voting.    

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSHB 1396 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out HB 2685, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Janek moved that HB 2685 do not pass but that CSHB 2685 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. 

 

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

 

At 7:05 p.m., Senator Shapleigh assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 37, which had been previously left pending, and recognized Senator Nelson to describe the new committee substitute.

 

Senator Nelson moved to reconsider the vote by which the previous committee substitute was adopted; 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 37 do not pass but that CSSB 37 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 37 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.

 

At 7:09 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

Senator Patrick announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 2683, HB 3169, CSHB 416, CSSB 1095, CSSB 1481, CSSB 1866, CSHB 246, HB 518, CSHB 1396 and CSHB 2685; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Janek announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 2683, HB 3169, CSHB 416, CSSB 1481 and HB 518; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator Zaffirini's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 37, CSSB 1095, CSSB 1481, CSSB 1866, CSHB 246, CSHB 1396 and CSHB 2685; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator West's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 2683, HB 3169, CSHB 416, CSSB 1481, HB 518, CSSB 1095, CSSB 1866, CSHB 246, CSHB 1396 and CSHB 2685; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 7:10 p.m. the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

 

 

_____________________________

Tiffany Arrington, Clerk