MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, March 9, 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 9, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Royce West, Chair

 

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Robert Nichols, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

 

 

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

 

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:33 AM.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair laid out SB 310 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

At 9:45 AM, a quorum was established.

 

Senator Nichols moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 2, 2011; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Senator West moved that SB 310 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 311 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, 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 311 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 398 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 398 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 558 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 Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 558 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 559 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 559 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 490 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, 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 490 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 494 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, 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 494 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 101 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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 Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 101 do not pass but that CSSB 101 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

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

 

At 10:25 AM Senator Nichols assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 761 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

 

Senator West sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption.  Without objection, the amendment was adopted.

 

Senator West requested unanimous consent to incorporate the committee amendment into the bill as filed to create a 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.

 

Senator West moved that SB 761 do not pass but that CSSB 761 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

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

 

At 10:34 AM Senator West resumed the Chair.

There being no further business, at 10:35 AM 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