MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, April 21, 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, April 21, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1427 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Eltife moved committee substitute be left pending; 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 Eltife moved that SB 1427 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1485 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, 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 Eltife moved that SB 1485 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1585 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

At 9:09AM roll was called and a quorum was established.

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Larry Taylor

Senator Creighton moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on April 7, 2015, and April 9, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton 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 SB 1585 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1950 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Watson 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 Eltife moved that SB 1950 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1367 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Creighton 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 Eltife moved that SB 1367 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1229 and recognized Senator Watson, 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 1229 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 430 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, 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 430 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 604 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, 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 604 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1652 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, 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 1652 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Eltife resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 459.

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

Senator Watson moved that SB 459 do not pass but that CSSB 459 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Huffines submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 668.

Senator Schwertner moved that SB 668 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Schwertner 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 684.

Senator Taylor moved that SB 684 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Taylor 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 1161.

Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1161 do not pass but that CSSB 1161 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Ellis 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 1193.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1193 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Creighton 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 1203.

Senator Watson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Watson moved that SB 1203 do not pass but that CSSB 1203 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Watson 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 1812.

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

Senator Watson moved that SB 1812 do not pass but that CSSB 1812 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Watson 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 326.

Senator Watson moved that SB 326 do not pass but that CSSB 326 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1820.

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

The chair brought down the committee substitute for SB 1820.

The chair left SB 1820 pending.

Senator Taylor assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 654.

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

Senator Eltife moved that SB 654 do not pass but that CSSB 654 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

Senator Eltife 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 956.

Senator Eltife moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Eltife moved that SB 956 do not pass but that CSSB 956 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

Senator Eltife 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 1174.

Senator Eltife requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Eltife then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Eltife moved that SB 1174 do not pass but that CSSB 1174 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

Senator Eltife 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 1503.

Senator Eltife moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Eltife moved that SB 1503 do not pass but that CSSB 1503 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

Senator Eltife 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 1553.

Senator Eltife moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Eltife moved that SB 1553 do not pass but that CSSB 1553 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

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

Senator Eltife resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1820.

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

Senator Watson moved that SB 1820 do not pass but that CSSB 1820 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye. Senator Creighton submitted a motion in writing voting aye.

Senator Watson 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 10:09 AM Senator Eltife moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Kevin Eltife, Chair

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Brady Faglie, Clerk