MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, March 28, 2011

9:00 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 28, 2011, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan, Chair	Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Bob Deuell, Vice Chair
Senator Rodney Ellis
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 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 29 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Williams sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Sen. Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair opened public testimony. 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 29 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1033 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. The chair also laid out SB 1034 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill. Senator Williams sent up a committee substitute for SB 1034; the chair recognized Sen. Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair opened public testimony on both SB 1033 and SB 1034. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills 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 1033 and SB 1034 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 371 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony. 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 Duncan moved that SB 371 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1160 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony. 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 1160 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 Bob Deuell

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

The chair laid out SB 1109 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. Senator Williams sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Williams 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. The chair opened public testimony. 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 1109 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 894 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair opened public testimony. 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 Huffman moved that SB 894 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1226 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony. 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 1226 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1714 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony. 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 Deuell moved that SB 1714 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1716 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill. Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair opened public testimony. 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 1716 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Duncan resumed the chair.

The chair moved the committee stand at ease to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:51 AM Senator Duncan reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 29. A committee substitute was previously offered. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 29 do not pass but that CSSB 29 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 371. Senator Deuell moved that SB 371 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 894. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Duncan moved that SB 894 do not pass but that CSSB 894 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 1034. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Williams moved that SB 1034 do not pass but that CSSB 1034 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 CSSB 1109. Senator Williams moved that SB 1109 do not pass but that CSSB 1109 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 1160. Senator Huffman moved that SB 1160 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Huffman 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 1226. Senator Deuell moved that SB 1226 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Deuell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1714. Senator Duncan moved that SB 1714 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser 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 1716. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Duncan moved that SB 1716 do not pass but that CSSB 1716 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 258. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 258 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 372. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Huffman moved that SB 372 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Huffman 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 423. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 423 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 626. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 626 do not pass but that CSSB 626 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 642. Senator Williams moved that SB 642 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, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 729. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 729 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Deuell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 800. Senator Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Duncan moved that SB 800 do not pass but that CSSB 800 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 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 997. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 997 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Lucio, Jr. 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 11:10 AM 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