MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, March 16, 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 16, 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.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair laid out SB 86 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, 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 86 be left pending to await a quorum.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 310 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

 

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 310 be left pending to await a quorum.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 311 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

 

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

Senator West moved that SB 311 be left pending to await a quorum.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

The Chair laid out SB 349 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.

 

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Eltife 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 West moved that SB 349 be left pending to await a quorum.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair laid out SB 410 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 West moved that SB 410 be left pending to await a quorum.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 9:44, a quorum was established.

 

Senator Wentworth moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 9, 2011.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 117 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, 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 117 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 744 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, 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 744 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 629 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 629 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 475 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, 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 475 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

The Chair laid out SB 813 and recognized the author, Senator Gallegos, 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 813 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 359 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 West moved that SB 359 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:32 AM Senator Nichols assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 238 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. Senator West moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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

 

Senator West requested unanimous consent to incorporate Committee Amendment 1 into the bill to create a new 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.

 

Senator West moved that SB 238 do not pass but that CSSB 238 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 10:40 AM Senator West resumed the Chair.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 310 and Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 310 do not pass but that CSSB 310 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 311 and Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 311 do not pass but that CSSB 311 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 86 and Senator Nichols moved that SB 86 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.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 117 and Senator Nichols moved that SB 117 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.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 349 and Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 349 do not pass but that CSSB 349 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 410 and Senator Nichols moved that SB 410 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.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 475 and Senator Patrick moved that SB 475 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 Patrick moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 629 and Senator Nichols moved that SB 629 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.

 

On a matter of pending business, the Chair laid out SB 813 and Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved that SB 813 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 Gallegos, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills:

SB 86, SB 117, SB 238, SB 310, SB 311, SB 349, SB 410, SB 475, SB 629, SB 813.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 10:45 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