MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

9:00 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 Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Brandon Creighton, Vice Chair	Senator Kevin Eltife, Chair
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Don Huffines
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Kirk Watson
Senator John Whitmire

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Senator Brandon Creighton, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator John Whitmire

Senator Creighton moved adoption of the committee rules. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 680 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, 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 Creighton moved that SB 680 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 478 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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 Creighton moved that SB 478 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 641 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.

Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Schwertner 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 Creighton moved that CSSB 641 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 494 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, 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 Creighton moved that SB 494 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 700 and recognized Senator Whitmire, 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 Creighton moved that SB 700 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 267 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 267 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 10:45 AM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Pursuant to a motion made by Senator Creighton on the Senate floor, to suspend Senate Rules 11.10 and 11.18, the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce reconvened at 12:35 PM in E1.028.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 267. Testimony resumed on the bill.

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

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

Senator Ellis moved that SB 267 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 653 and recognized Senator Huffines, 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 Ellis moved that SB 653 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 656 and recognized Senator Huffines, 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 Ellis moved that SB 656 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 657 and recognized Senator Huffines, 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 Ellis moved that SB 657 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 784 and recognized Senator Huffines, 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 Ellis moved that SB 784 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 859 and recognized Senator Huffines, 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 Ellis moved that SB 859 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 860 and recognized Senator Huffines, 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 Ellis moved that SB 860 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 2:24 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 Brandon Creighton, Vice Chair

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Brady Faglie, Clerk