MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

9:00 a.m. or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Room

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Troy Fraser, Chair

Senator Chris Harris, Vice Chair

Senator Kevin Eltife

Senator Craig Estes

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

Senator Kip Averitt

Senator Kirk Watson

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:20 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Chairman Fraser laid out the Committee Rules which were previously provided to the members for their review.  Senator Van de Putte moved adoption of the Committee Rules.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 711 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

Witnesses 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 Eltife moved that SB 711 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Eltife moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 529 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, 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 Estes moved that SB 529 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.  Senator Estes moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 470 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona 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 Eltife moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Eltife moved that SB 470 do not pass but that CSSB 470 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. 

 

The chair laid out SB 802 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

Senator Harris sent up Committee Amendment 1.  Senator Carona was recognized to explain the amendment.  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 Fraser moved that SB 802 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 547 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.  Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Eltife 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 Fraser moved that SB 547 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 769 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. 

Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Williams 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 Fraser moved that SB 769 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 538 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, 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 Fraser moved that SB 538 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 507 and recognized Senator Harris, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Witnesses 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 Fraser moved that SB 507 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 731 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

Witnesses 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 Fraser moved that SB 731 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 776 and recognized Senator Harris, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Harris sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.  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 Fraser moved that SB 776 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 2:59 p.m. Chairman Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chairman.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

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Senator Troy Fraser, Chair

 

 

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk