MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, May 2, 2011

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Room

 

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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 Government Organization was held on Monday, May 2, 2011, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Glenn Hegar, Vice Chair

 

Senator John Whitmire

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator Jane Nelson

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:14 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out HB 266 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Ellis moved that HB 266 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 328 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses 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 Nelson moved that HB 328 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 2 absent.

 

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

 

The chair laid out HB 266 as previously explained by the author. 

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 266 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 2 absent.

 

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

 

The chair laid out HB 2499 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

 

At 3:42 PM Senator Hegar assumed the chair. At 3:45 PM Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

 

At 3:56 PM Senator Hegar assumed the chair.

 

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 Nelson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment. Amendment 1 was withdrawn.

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 2 and explained the amendment. Amendment 2 was withdrawn.

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 3 on behalf of Senator Lucio and explained the amendment. Amendment 3 was withdrawn. 

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 4 on behalf of Senator Lucio and explained the amendment. Amendment 4 was withdrawn. 

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 5 on behalf of Senator Lucio and explained the amendment. Amendment 5 was withdrawn. 

 

Senator Hegar moved that HB 2499 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 4:00 PM Senator Nelson assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2251 and recognized Senator Hegar to explain the bill on behalf of the Senate sponsor, Senator Whitmire.

 

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.

 

At 4:04 PM Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

 

Senator Ellis moved that HB 2251 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 1861 and recognized Senator Hegar, to explain the bill on behalf of the Senate sponsor, Senator Whitmire.

 

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 Hegar moved that HB 1861 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 2 absent.

 

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

 

The chair laid out HB 2251 as previously explained by Senator Hegar. Senator Hegar moved that HB 2251 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 2 absent.

 

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

 

Senator Birdwell requested unanimous consent to be shown voting with the Vice Chair; without objection it was so ordered.

 

At 4:08 PM Senator Hegar assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2866 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses 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 Ellis moved that HB 2866 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 2 absent.

 

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

 

At 4:11 PM Senator Ellis resumed the chair. Senator Hegar requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on previous bills; without objection it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 4:11 PM Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

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Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

 

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Jessica Schleifer, Clerk