MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, May 9, 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 9, 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 Brian Birdwell
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator John Whitmire

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The chair called the meeting to order at 4:50 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1460 and recognized the author, Senator Harris, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 1460 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.

The chair laid out HB 2499 as previously explained by the author.

Senator Hegar 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 Hegar moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 6 (campaign contributions) and explained the amendment. Amendment 6 was withdrawn.

Senator Birdwell sent up Committee Amendment 7 (political contributions prohibition) on behalf of Senator Lucio and explained the amendment. Amendment 7 was withdrawn.

Senator Hegar moved that HB 2499 do not pass but that CSHB 2499 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 2 absent.

The chair laid out HB 1774 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Ellis moved that HB 1774 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the bills previously voted on; without objection it was so ordered.

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

The chair laid out HB 2605 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 1 (sunset recommendation issue 5) and explained the amendment. Amendment 1 was withdrawn.

Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 2 (medical necessity) and explained the amendment. Amendment 2 was withdrawn.

Senator Hegar sent up Committee Amendment 3 (technical changes)and Senator Huffman was recognized to explained the amendment. Amendment 3 was withdrawn.

At 5:03 PM Senator Hegar assumed the chair.

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 4 (timely income benefits) and explained the amendment. Amendment 4 was withdrawn.

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 5 (suspend income benefits generally) and explained the amendment. Amendment 5 was withdrawn.

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 6 (workers’ rights) and explained the amendment. Amendment 6 was withdrawn.

At 5:05 PM Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 7 (legal representation) and explained the amendment. Amendment 7 was withdrawn

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 8 ( first responders) and explained the amendment. Amendment 8 was withdrawn.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 9 (second opinion) and explained the amendment. Amendment 9 was withdrawn.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 10 (contract for different fee) and explained the amendment. Amendment 10 was withdrawn.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 11 (non-subscribing employers) on behalf of Senator Watson and explained the amendment. Amendment 11 was withdrawn.

Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 12 (networks include chiropractors) and explained the amendment. Amendment 12 was withdrawn.

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 2605 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 265 and recognized Senator Hegar to explain the bill on behalf of the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell.

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 265 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1504 and recognized Senator Hegar to explain the bill on behalf of the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa.

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

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 1504 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1495 and recognized and recognized Senator Hegar to explain the bill on behalf of the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa.

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 1495 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 5:44 PM Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand at ease 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