MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION & HOMELAND SECURITY

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

7:30 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 Transportation & Homeland Security was held on Wednesday, March 30, 2011, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Tommy Williams, Chair

 

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Kirk Watson, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Wendy Davis

 

 

Senator Rodney Ellis

 

 

Senator Chris Harris

 

 

Senator Juan Hinojosa

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

 

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 7:33 AM. There being a quorum present at 9:39 AM, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Jeff Wentworth

 

The chair laid out SB 288 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

The chair laid out SB 294 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 288 and SB 294 are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

 

Senator Williams resumed the chair.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed for SB 288 and SB 294; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Williams moved that SB 288 and SB 294 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 315 and recognized Senator Hinojosa, 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 Williams moved that SB 315 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1292 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 Williams moved that SB 1292 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Wentworth assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1701 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.

 

The chair withdrew SB 1701 temporarily.

 

Senator Williams resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1649 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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 Williams moved that SB 1649 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1572 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

 

The chair left SB 1572 pending temporarily.

 

Senator Watson assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out a new SB 1701 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 Williams 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 Williams moved that SB 1701 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1702 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, 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 Williams moved that SB 1702 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Williams resumed the chair.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 1572 are shown on the attached list.

 

Senator Williams moved that the Committee stand at ease upon arrival of a quorum.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum at 10:16 AM, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Harris moved that SB 315 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 Harris moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Watson moved that SB 1292 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 Watson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Watson assumed the chair.

 

Senator Williams moved that SB 1701 do not pass but that CSSB 1701 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 SB 1702 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 Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Williams resumed the chair.

 

At 10:23 AM, the chair announced that the Committee would stand at ease until the adjournment of the Senate.

 

The Chair reconvened the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security at 1:30 PM. The chair laid out SB 1572.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 1572 are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Williams moved that the Committee stand at ease for a few minutes.

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 2:04 PM, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Watson assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 9, SB 1694, SB 1695, SB 1696, SB 1697, SB 1698, SB 1699, SB 1700 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bills.

 

Senator Williams sent up a committee substitute for SB 9; the chair recognized Senator Williams to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 9, SB 1694, SB 1695, SB 1696, SB 1697, SB 1698, SB 1699, SB 1700 are shown on the attached list.

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed on SB 9, SB 1694, SB 1695, SB 1696, SB 1697, SB 1698, SB 1699, SB 1700; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair moved that SB 9, SB 1694, SB 1695, SB 1696, SB 1697, SB 1698, SB 1699, SB 1700  be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Williams resumed the chair.

 

Senator Hinojosa asked to be shown voting aye for: SB 315, SB 1292, SB 1701, SB 1702.

 

Senator Nichols asked to be shown voting aye for: SB 315, SB 1292, SB 1701, SB 1702.

 

Senator Wentworth asked to be shown voting aye for SB 315, SB 1292, SB 1701, SB 1702.

 

There being no further business, at 4:31 PM Senator Williams moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Tommy Williams, Chair

 

 

_________________________________________

Tulsi Reddy, Clerk