MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

9:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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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 Intergovernmental Relations was held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Royce West, Chair

 

None

Senator Robert Nichols, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

 

 

Senator Dan Patrick

 

 

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

 

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Nichols moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 9, 2011; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 422 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, 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 Nichols moved that SB 422 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, 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 SB 131 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 Wentworth moved that SB 131 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, 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.

 

The Chair laid out SB 396 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, 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 Nichols moved that SB 396 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, 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.

 

At 9:46 AM Senator Nichols assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 173 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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 West moved that SB 173 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, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 238 by West, SB 302 by Wentworth and SB 447 by Jackson and recognized Senator West to explain all three bills.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the three bills are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 238, SB 302 and SB 447 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:45 AM Senator West resumed the Chair.

 

There being no further business, at 10:46 AM Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes upon adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:00 PM Senator West reconvened the meeting.

 

At 1:01 PM Senator Nichols assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 472 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

 

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator West moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West sent up Committee Amendment 1 and upon arrival of a quorum, moved adoption. Without objection, the amendment was adopted.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator West requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator West then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted.  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.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator West moved that SB 472 do not pass but that CSSB 472 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

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

 

At 1:56 PM Senator West resumed the Chair.

 

Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bill:  SB 472.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Gallegos requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bill: SB 422.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills:  SB 422 and SB 472.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 1:57 PM Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk