MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON OPEN GOVERNMENT

Monday, February 25, 2013

1:00 PM

Betty King Committee Room

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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 Open Government was held on Monday, February 25, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair	Senator Wendy Davis, Vice Chair
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Tommy Williams

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair introduced committee staff. Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 121 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill.

Senator Nelson 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 Nelson 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 Ellis moved that SB 121 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 279 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

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 Nelson moved that SB 279 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

The chair laid out SB 176 and recognized Senator Nelson, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Ellis 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 Nelson moved that SB 176 do not pass but that CSSB 176 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

The chair laid out SB 293 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.

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 Williams moved that SB 293 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 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.

There being no further business, at 1:32 PM Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

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Amber Weed, Clerk