MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 7, 2011

10:00 AM

Senate Chamber

 

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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 State Affairs was held on Monday, March 7, 2011, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

None

Senator Bob Deuell, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Rodney Ellis

 

 

Senator Troy Fraser

 

 

Senator Joan Huffman

 

 

Senator Mike Jackson

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

 

Senator Tommy Williams

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 85 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 Duncan moved that SB 85 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 43 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Duncan moved that SB 43 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 247 and recognized Senator Ellis, 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 Duncan moved that SB 247 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, the clerk called the roll.  The following members arrived after the roll was called:

 

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Tommy Williams

 

The chair laid out SB 328 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.  Senator Van de Putte sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized the author to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Duncan 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 Duncan moved that SB 328 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 115 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Duncan 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 Duncan moved that SB 115 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 428 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 Duncan moved that SB 428 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 426 and recognized the author, 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 SB 426 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 367 and recognized Senator Huffman, 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 Duncan moved that SB 367 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 381 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.

Senator Jackson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth 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 Duncan moved that SB 381 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 361 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Deuell moved that SB 361 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Duncan assumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 1:15 PM Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:25 PM Senator Duncan reconvened the meeting. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 43.  Senator Williams moved that SB 43 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 85.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 85 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 115.  Senator Jackson moved that SB 115 do not pass but that CSSB 115 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 247.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 247 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 328.  A committee substitute was previously adopted.   Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Lucio, Jr. requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 328 do not pass but that CSSB 328 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 361.  Senator Duncan moved that SB 361 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 367.  Senator Williams moved that SB 367 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 426.  Senator Duncan moved that SB 426 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 428.  Senator Huffman moved that SB 428 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Huffman 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 2:34 PM Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Erin Fry, Clerk