MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator John Carona Senator Kirk Watson Senator Wendy Davis Senator Joan Huffman Senator Robert Nichols Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Jeff Wentworth |
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Senator Rodney Ellis |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair announced that SB 543 would not be heard at this hearing.
The chair laid out SB 220 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.
Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair opened public testimony on 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 chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 635 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.
Senator Watson assumed the chair.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
The chair laid out SB 356 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony for SB 356 and SB 635. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair announced that the bills would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 521 and recognized the author, Senator Averitt, to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Averitt to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
The chair opened public testimony on 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 chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 298 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
The chair opened public testimony on the bill. Witnesses testifying on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair announced that the Committee would leave public testimony open until later in the hearing.
The chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 52 and recognized Senator Shapleigh, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony on 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 chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 581 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony on 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.
The chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 589 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony on the bill. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 293 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
The chair opened public testimony on 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.
The chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 713 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony on 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 chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 328 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony on 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.
The chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 333 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
The chair opened pubic testimony on 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 chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair laid out SB 384 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony on 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 chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair announced that R. Lee Iredale had mistakenly signed up in opposition of SB 356 but now wished to be shown in favor of both SB 356 and SB 635.
The chair laid out SB 374 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.
Senator Carona sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
The chair opened public testimony on 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.
The chair announced that the bill would be held pending.
The chair announced that the Committee would now take up SB 298 for further consideration.
The chair re-opened public testimony on 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 Watson continued as the chair and announced that SB 356, SB 635, SB 384, SB 713, and SB 298 would be held pending.
Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 52 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Shapleigh moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Davis moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 521; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Davis moved that SB 521 do not pass but that CSSB 521 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Davis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Wentworth moved that SB 581 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair announced that CSSB 220 would be held pending.
Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 293; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona moved that SB 293 do not pass but that CSSB 293 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 374; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona moved that SB 374 do not pass but that CSSB 374 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona moved that SB 589 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona moved that SB 328 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona moved that SB 333 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair moved that the Committee accept Senator Shapiro's request to be shown voting aye on CSSB 374, and Senator Nichols' motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 52, SB 293, SB 328, SB 333, SB 374, SB 521, SB 581, and SB 589. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Carona resumed the chair.
There being no further business, at 10:45 a.m. Senator Watson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator John Carona, Chair
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Kelsey Erickson, Clerk