MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON OPEN GOVERNMENT

Friday, May 17, 2013

9:00 AM

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 Friday, May 17, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

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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 9:00 AM.  The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 16 and recognized Jessica Schleifer 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 Ellis moved that HB 16 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2676 and recognized Senator Van de Putte's staffer, Patrick Lopez, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying 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 HB 2676 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 628 and recognized Senator Paxton's staffer, Tom Smith, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 628 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2668 and recognized Senator Davis' staffer, Carmen Gaddis, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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 Ellis moved that HB 2668 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:22 AM 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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Upon a motion made by Senator Ellis to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Committee on Open Government reconvened at 12:54 pm at Senator Ellis’ desk.

There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 628, which was previously explained in Committee.

Senator Davis moved that HB 628 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 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 HB 2676 which was previously explained in Committee.  

Senator Davis moved that HB 2676 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 as a matter of pending business HB 2668, which was previously explained in Committee.

Senator Davis moved that HB 2668 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 as a matter of pending business HB 16, which was previously explained in Committee.

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 16 do not pass but that CSHB 16 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. 

There being no further business, at 12:57 PM Senator Ellis moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

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Amber Weed, Clerk