MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator John Carona, Chair	None
Senator Chris Harris, Vice Chair
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Senator Kirk Watson
Senator John Whitmire

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 64 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Whitmire sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

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 Carona moved that SB 64 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 251 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 253 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 254 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 251, SB 253, and SB 254 are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Carona moved that SB 251, SB 253, and SB 254 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:52 AM Senator Carona moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:52 PM Senator Carona reconvened the meeting.

The Chair called the following witnesses to provide testimony on SB 253 and SB 254. See attached witness list.

Senator Carona moved that SB 251, SB 253, and SB 254 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 488 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, 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 Carona moved that SB 488 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 141 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.

Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Eltife to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Eltife 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 Eltife moved that SB 141 do not pass but that CSSB 141 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. Senator Harris submitted a motion in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 141. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

At 2:18 PM Senator Watson assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 322 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, 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 Carona moved that SB 322 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 323 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, 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 Carona moved that SB 323 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 539 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, 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 Carona moved that SB 539 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 342 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. Senator Carona 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 Carona moved that SB 342 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:41 PM Senator Carona resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 2:42 PM Senator Carona 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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Kimberly Selinger, Clerk