MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Wednesday, May 13, 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, May 13, 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 Joan Huffman

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Jeff Wentworth

Senator Rodney Ellis

 

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2060 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the bill.

 

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 Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

The chair reopened public testimony on the bill. There being no witnesses, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Watson moved that SB 2060 do not pass but that CSSB 2060 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2640 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Watson moved to adopt Committee Amendment 1, which was sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols withdrew Committee Amendment 2, which was sent up at a previous hearing.

 

Senator Watson moved that HB 2640, as amended, 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1822.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Shapleigh moved that SB 1822 do not pass but that CSSB 1822 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. 

 

At 7:42 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3097 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 bill as filed.  Senator Carona moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 3097 do not pass but that CSHB 3097 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 nays, 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 7:46 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair and invited Committee Members and Senator Hegar to discuss the Texas Department of Transportation and the Sunset Advisory Committee's  recommendations.

 

The chair then called upon representatives of the Sunset Advisory Commission and the Texas Department of Transportation to brief the Committee.  These witnesses are shown on the attached list.

 

There being no further business, at 9:09 a.m. Senator Watson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Pursuant to a motion adopted on the Senate floor to suspend Senate Rules 11.10, 11.18, and 11.19, and pursuant to an announcement made on the Senate floor before adjournment, at 2:25 p.m. the committee reconvened at Chairman Carona's desk on the Senate floor.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 1263 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill.  There being no witnesses, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Watson moved that SB 1263 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 nays, 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. 

 

The chair laid out SB 2584 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill.  There being no witnesses, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Wentworth moved that SB 2584 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 nays, 4 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

There being no further business, at 2:31 p.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