MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Thursday, April 30, 2009

12:00 p.m. or upon adjournment

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Thursday, April 30, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Kip Averitt

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Kevin Eltife

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator Royce West

Senator John Whitmire

Senator Tommy Williams

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Jane Nelson

Senator Florence Shapiro

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 679 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.  Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ogden moved that the bill be temporarily left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 798.  Senator West moved that SB 798 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Deuell, Senator Hinojosa, and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Deuell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 958.  Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 958 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Hinojosa and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Seliger moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2407, and a committee substitute adopted at a previous hearing.  Senator Zaffirini moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute had previously been adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Zaffirini moved to pull down the previously adopted committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Zaffirini sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 2407 do not pass but that CSSB 2407 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Hinojosa and Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2442.  Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 2442 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The chair laid out SB 763 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 Ogden moved that SB 763 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 679, which had been temporarily left pending.  Senator Lucio moved to reconsider the vote by which a previous committee substitute had been adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved to pull down the previously adopted committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved adoption of the new committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that SB 679 do not pass but that CSSB 679 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 6:27 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Steve Ogden, Chair

 

 

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Amy Jeter, Clerk