MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

8:00 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 Economic Development was held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bob Deuell, Chair	None
Senator Kelly Hancock, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Hancock moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on February 20, 2013, and March 6, 2013; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 21 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.

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

Senator Deuell moved that SB 21 be left pending; 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 SB 51 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 Watson moved that SB 51 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 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.

The chair laid out SB 307 and recognized Senator Birdwell in absence of the author to explain the bill.

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

At 8:45 AM Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 307 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 741 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodriguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Watson 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 Hancock moved that SB 741 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 551 and recognized Senator Watson, 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 Hancock moved that SB 551 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 441 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Birdwell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 441 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 658 and recognized Senator Watson, in the absence of the author, 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. Senator Hancock 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.

There being no further business, at 9:18 AM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed until after the Senate recessed. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, was suspended to meet at his desk upon recess of the Senate.

At 12:55 PM Senator Deuell reconvened the meeting at his desk.

Senator Watson moved that SB 551 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 Watson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Birdwell moved that SB 441 do not pass but that CSSB 441 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.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 585 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 Deuell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock assumed the chair.

Senator Deuell moved that SB 658 do not pass but that CSSB 658 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.

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

Senator Deuell resumed the chair.

Senator Watson moved that SB 741 do not pass but that CSSB 741 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

There being no further business, at 1:04 PM Senator Deuell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Bob Deuell, Chair

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Alex Karam, Clerk