MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON OPEN GOVERNMENT

Monday, March 11, 2013

2:00 PM or upon adjournment

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, March 11, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair	None
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 3:06 PM. There being a quorum present at  3:09 PM, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 636 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, 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 Ellis moved that SB 636 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 656 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

Senator Davis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Paxton 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 Ellis moved that SB 656 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:25 PM Senator Davis assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 471 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Davis 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 471 do not pass but that CSSB 471 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 0 absent. Senator Williams asked to be shown voting in favor of CSSB 471.

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

At 3:34 PM Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 3:34 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