MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, March 23, 2009

9:00 a.m.

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 Government Organization was held on Monday, March 23, 2009, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Joan Huffman

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Jane Nelson

Senator John Whitmire

 

Senator Steve Ogden

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 899 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, 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. Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Hegar moved that SB 899 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 1 absent. Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1010 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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. The bill was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1005 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, 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. 

 

The clerk called roll. There was a quorum present.

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 1005 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 1 absent. Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1149 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 Hegar moved that SB 1149 do not pass but that CSSB 1149 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 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1012 and recognized Senator Hegar, in the absence of the author, 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. The bill was left pending. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1008 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. The bill was left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 664 and recognized Senator Estes, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Hegar sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  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. The bill was left pending.   

 

At 10:02 a.m. Senator Ellis moved that the committee stand recessed until 11:00 a.m.; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 11:07 a.m. Senator Ellis reconvened the committee. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1007 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

 

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute to SB 1007; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

At 11:08 a.m. Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.  At 11:20 a.m. Senator Ellis resumed the chair. 

 

At 1:30 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that the committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 4:12 p.m. Senator Ellis reconvened the committee.

 

The Chair reopened public testimony for SB 1007. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

At 4:51 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that the committee stand at ease.  At 4:56 p.m. Senator Ellis reconvened the committee. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 4:56 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that the committee stand recessed until Wednesday, March 25th at 8:30 a.m.; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

 

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Mattie Murray, Clerk