MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, December 10, 2012

9:05 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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, December 10, 2012, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan, Chair	Senator Bob Deuell, Vice Chair
Senator Joan Huffman	Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.	Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Tommy Williams	Senator Mike Jackson
	Senator Leticia Van de Putte

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Committee heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge 10:  Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:

· implementation of SB 100, relating to the implementation of the MOVE Act, and the impact on local and statewide elections and military voters.

Senator Lucio assumed the Chair. 

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

The Committee heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge 2: Examine the Texas Workers Compensation system and make recommendations for changes to meet the needs of Texas employers and employees. Specifically, review the following:

· the dispute resolution process and benefits available from employers that do not subscribe to workers compensation;

· the adequacy of income benefits in the workers' compensation system, specifically on high wage earners receiving the maximum compensation rate;

· identify and report on fatalities in the Workers' Compensation System, including the amount of death and burial benefits paid to beneficiaries and the Subsequent Injury Fund since 2000;

· the return-to-work numbers and results for injured employees in the Workers'      Compensation System that are referred to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services.

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

The Committee heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge 9:  Examine the effectiveness of the Private Real Property Rights Preservation Act (Chapter 2007, Government Code), and whether it should apply to municipalities.

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

The Committee heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge 1:  Study the policies and actions the State can pursue to preserve state authority and protect Texas citizens from federal overreach in the form of conditional federal grants, conditional federal preemption, and excessive legislation and regulation interfering with states' enumerated powers by Congress.

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

There being no further business, at 12:10 PM.  Senator Lucio moved that the Committee on State Affairs 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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Gabe Hughes, Clerk