MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Monday, March 30, 2015

1:00 PM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 Intergovernmental Relations was held on Monday, March 30, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Vice Chair	Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Larry Taylor

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Vice Chair Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM.   Vice Chair Bettencourt shared that Chairman Lucio was absent due to a death in his family. Vice Chair Bettencourt stated that he would be the chair for this hearing due to Senator Lucio being absent.

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

Senator Garcia moved approval of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 23, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Taylor and Senator Campbell.

The chair recognized Senator Nichols to lay out as a matter of pending business SB 607 and the committee substitute considered during the March 23, 2015, hearing. Senator Nichols moved that CSSB 607 be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 607 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 607 be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.   Senator Campbell submitted a Motion in Writing form to show voting “aye” on CSSB 607.

Senator Nichols moved that the committee substitute for SB 607 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Bettencourt recognized Senator Taylor to lay out as a matter of pending business SB 866 considered during the March 23, 2015 hearing.  Senator Taylor moved that SB 866 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Chairman Bettencourt recognized Senator Garcia to lay out as a matter of pending business SB 1210 considered during the March 23, 2015 hearing.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 1210 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Chairman Bettencourt brought up as a matter of pending business SB 871 considered during the March 23, 2015 hearing.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 871 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Campbell moved that SB 871 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Chairman Bettencourt recognized Senator Menéndez to lay out as a matter of pending business SB 917 considered during the March 23, 2015 hearing.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 917 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out SB 1281 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1281 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1348 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1348 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1092 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor to explain the bill.

Senator Taylor sent up the committee substitute for SB 1092; the chair recognized Senator Taylor 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 Bettencourt moved that SB 1092 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Taylor assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SCR 28 and recognized Senator Bettencourt, 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 Taylor moved that SCR 28 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Campbell submitted a Motion in Writing form to show voting “aye” on SCR 28.  Senator Taylor moved that SCR 28 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 1:48 PM Senator Taylor moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair for March 30, 2015

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Donna Chatham, Clerk