MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, April 6, 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, April 6, 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 March 30, 2011.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 942 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the 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 Nichols moved that SB 942 do not pass but that CSSB 942 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.

 

The Chair laid out SB 768 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

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

 

Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols then moved that the 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 Nichols moved that SB 768 do not pass but that CSSB 768 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.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1341 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 Nichols moved that SB 1341 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 1558 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 Nichols moved that SB 1558 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

 

Senator Nichols pulled down this motion.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1558 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1002 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 Nichols moved that SB 1002 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.

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 942, SB 768, and SB 1341.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 601 and recognized the author, Senator Rodriguez, 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 601 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 609 and recognized the author, Senator Rodriguez, 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 609 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 860 and recognized the author, Senator Rodriguez, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols 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 Nichols moved that SB 860 do not pass but that CSSB 860 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.

 

The Chair laid out SB 437 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols 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 West moved that SB 437 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:45 AM Senator Gallegos, Jr. assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1233 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.

 

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 1233 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 West moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bill: SB 860.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1243 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 to temporarily postpone further consideration of SB 1243. 

 

At 10:53 AM Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

There being no further business, at 10:54 AM Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes upon adjournment of the Senate.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:58 PM Senator Nichols reconvened the meeting.

 

The Chair laid out SB 916 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

At 2:07 PM Senator West resumed the Chair.

 

Senator Patrick sent up Committee Amendment 1 and was recognized to explain the amendment.

 

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 916 do not pass but that CSSB 916 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. 

 

At 2:45 PM Senator Nichols assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1243 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.

 

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 1243 do not pass but that CSSB 1243 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 2:52 PM Senator West resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SJR 19 and recognized Senator Patrick, 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 West moved that SJR 19 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 446 and recognized Senator Patrick, 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 West moved that SB 446 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1496 and recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr., in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Gallegos, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Gallegos, Jr. 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.

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1496 do not pass but that CSSB 1496 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.

 

There being no further business, at 3:30 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