MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Monday, March 21, 2011

10:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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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 Finance was held on Monday, March 21, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Steve Ogden, Chair	Senator Craig Estes
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Dan Patrick
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Royce West
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Tommy Williams
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:02 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 432 and recognized Senator Eltife, 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 Ogden moved that SB 432 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 449 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

The chair laid out SJR 16 and recognized Watson, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 449 and SJR 16 are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 449 and SJR 16; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair moved that SB 449 and SJR 16 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 175 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SJR 11 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 175 and SJR 11 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 551 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 551 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 129 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SJR 7 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 129 and SJR 7 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 720 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

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

The chair moved that SB 720 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Public testimony was heard on SB 129, SB 175, SJR 7 and SJR 11.

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

Senator Ogden resumed the chair.

Senator Ogden announced that the Committee will start meeting on Fridays beginning April 1, 2011 and that markup will begin Thursday, March 24, 2011. He stated that there have been questions on when pending bills will be heard and indicated that all pending bills will be posted before any vote is taken. He also announced the appointments of two subcommittees. Members of each subcommittee are listed below.

Subcommittee on Fiscal Matters: Senator Duncan, chair, Senator Deuell, Senator Eltife, Senator Patrick, Senator West, Senator Williams and Senator Zaffirini.

Subcommittee on Public Safety: Senator Whitmire, chair, Senator Estes, Senator Hinojosa, Senator Lucio, Senator Nelson, Senator Seliger, Senator Shapiro.

The chair laid out SB 201 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SB 357 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SJR 14 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

Senator Ogden moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 449; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute for SB 201; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 516 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out SJR 21 and recognized the author, Senator Patrick, to explain the bill.

Public testimony was heard on SB 201, SB 357, SB 516, SJR 14 and SJR 21.

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

At 1:36 PM Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:15 PM Senator Hinojosa reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out SB 326 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 326 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Testimony continued on SB 175, SB 129, SJR 7 and SJR 11.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed for SB 175, SB 129, SJR 7 and SJR 11; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 175, SB 129, SJR 7 and SJR 11 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Testimony continued on SB 201, SB 357, SB 516, SJR 14 and SJR 21.

The chair moved that public testimony be closed for SB 201, SB 357, SB 516, SJR 14 and SJR 21; without objection, it was so ordered.

Public testimony was heard on SB 326.

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 Hinojosa moved that SB 326 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 201, SB 357, SB 516, SJR 14 and SJR 21 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:06 PM Senator Hinojosa moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Steve Ogden, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk