MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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 Transportation was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Nichols, Chair	Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Ken Paxton, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Wendy Davis
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Dan Patrick
Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:01 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1165 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1165 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 812 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, 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 Nichols moved that SB 812 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1376 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.

The chair opened the floor for public testimony.  There being none, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1376 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 459 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill.

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodriguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 Nichols moved that SB 459 and the proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1253 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

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 Nichols moved that SB 1253 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 597 and recognized Senator Campbell, 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 Nichols moved that SB 597 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1017 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill. 

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Paxton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 Nichols moved that SB 1017 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1053 and recognized Senator Paxton, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1053 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1294 and recognized the author, Senator Davis, to explain the bill. 

Senator Davis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Davis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 Nichols moved that SB 1294 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1029 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1029 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 597, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Paxton moved that SB 597 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Davis, Senator Patrick and Senator Watson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1053, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Paxton moved that SB 1053 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Davis, Senator Patrick and Senator Watson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1376, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Paxton moved that SB 1376 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Davis, Senator Patrick and Senator Watson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1165, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Paxton moved that SB 1165 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Davis, Senator Patrick and Senator Watson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Paxton 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 9:55 AM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

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Amy Jeter, Clerk