MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

7:30 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, April 8, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator John Carona Senator Kirk Watson Senator Wendy Davis Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Joan Huffman Senator Robert Nichols Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Jeff Wentworth		None

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 1431 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Shapleigh sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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 moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 793 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar 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 left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1616 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill.  Witnesses testifying 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 left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1984 and recognized Senator Davis, 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 left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 1160 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

The chair also laid out HB 1871 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Jackson, to explain the bill. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bills.  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 left pending.

 

At 8:26 a.m. Senator Wentworth assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2225 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 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 left pending.

 

At 8:33 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1636 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 left pending.

 

The chair laid out SB 2500 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. 

 

At 8:39 a.m. Senator Wentworth assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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 left pending.

 

At 9:11 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1431.

 

Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 1431 do not pass but that CSSB 1431 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1871.

 

Senator Wentworth moved that HB 1871 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:13 a.m. Senator Watson resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2225.

 

Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Carona moved that SB 2225 do not pass but that CSSB 2225 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Carona moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:14 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 25.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SJR 25 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Nichols 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 SJR 52.

 

Senator Davis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Davis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Davis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Davis moved that SJR 52 do not pass but that CSSJR 52 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2017.

 

Senator Watson moved to withdraw the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection; it was so ordered.

 

Senator Watson sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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. 

 

Senator Watson moved that SB 2017 do not pass but that CSSB 2017 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Watson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:20 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 9.

 

Senator Carona moved to withdraw the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection; it was so ordered.

 

Senator Carona sent up a new committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Carona to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Carona moved that SJR 9 do not pass but that CSSJR 9 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Carona 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 585.

 

Senator Carona sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Carona requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Carona then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:26 a.m. Senator Davis assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Watson sent up Committee Amendment 4 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Watson requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Watson then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:27 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Carona moved that SB 585 do not pass but that CSSB 585 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. 

 

At 9:29 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair and called Dr. Mike Walton, Dan Kessler, and Ken Allen to brief the Committee.

 

The chair invited the Committee members to participate in a press conference that would begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Press Room.

 

There being no further business, at 9:58 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