MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

8:00 a.m.

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, March 15, 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 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Harris, Senator Jackson, and Senator Van de Putte.

The chair laid out SB 855 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain 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.

Senator Carona moved that SB 855 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 918 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, 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 918 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1000 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, 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 1000 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 576 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 Carona moved that CSSB 576 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 944 and recognized the author, Senator Jackson, 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 944 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 8:38 a.m. Senator Harris assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 782 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 Harris moved that CSSB 782 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 980 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 982 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 983 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 984 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 985 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 986 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 980, SB 982, SB 983, SB 984, SB 985, and SB 986 are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed regarding SB 980, SB 982, SB 983, SB 984, SB 985, and SB 986; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Harris moved that SB 980, SB 982, SB 983, SB 984, SB 985, and SB 986 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 17 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 Harris moved that CSSB 17 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:02 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 411 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.

Senator Carona moved that SB 411 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 590 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes 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 590 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:28 a.m. Senator Carona moved that the Committee stand at ease temporarily. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:30 a.m. Senator Carona reconvened the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce; there being a quorum present the following business was transacted:

Senator Estes moved that SB 411 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. Senators Lucio and Van de Putte submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 411.

At 10:31 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair.

Senator Jackson moved that SB 983 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. Senators Lucio and Van de Putte submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 983.

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

At 10:32 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair.

Senator Eltife moved that SB 576 do not pass but that CSSB 576 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 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senators Lucio and Van de Putte submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 576.

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

Senator Jackson moved that SB 944 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. Senators Lucio and Van de Putte submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 944.

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

Senator Eltife moved that SB 918 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. Senators Lucio and Van de Putte submitted motions in writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 918.

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

There being no further business, at 10:35 a.m. 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