MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON OPEN GOVERNMENT

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

12:15 PM or upon adjournment

Senator Ellis' Desk

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Open Government was held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at Senator Ellis' Desk.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 12:25 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The posting rule, Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, was suspended to hear the following bill(s):

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 121 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute for SB 121 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Davis moved to withdraw from consideration the committee substitute that was previously considered; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

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

Senator Davis moved that SB 121 do not pass but that CSSB 121 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 3 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 457 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute for SB 457 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Davis moved to withdraw from consideration the committee substitute that was previously considered; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

Senator Davis moved that SB 457 do not pass but that CSSB 457 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 Davis moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 656 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute for SB 656 was adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Davis moved to withdraw from consideration the committee substitute that was previously considered; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

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

Senator Davis moved that SB 656 do not pass but that CSSB 656 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

There being no further business, at 12:29 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