MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Thursday, April 30, 2015

8:30 AM

Extension Auditorium, E1.004

 

*****

 

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 Thursday, April 30, 2015, in the Extension Auditorium, E1.004.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

None

Senator Paul Bettencourt, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Donna Campbell

 

 

Senator Sylvia Garcia

 

 

Senator José Menéndez

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

Senator Larry Taylor

 

 

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 8:30 AM.  There being a quorum, the following business was transaction:

 

Senators Bettencourt, Campbell and Taylor arrived after roll call.

 

The chair laid out SB 32 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.  Senator Garcia sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 32 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1883 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.  The chair moved that SB 1883 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1658 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.  Senator Lucio sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 1658 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1552 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.  Senator Lucio sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator West 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 1552 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 999 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst,  to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony. There being no public testimony, the chair moved that  public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that SB 999 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2035 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst,  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2035 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2057 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor, V,  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2057 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2024 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The chair sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Creighton; to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 2024 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

The chair laid out SB 2040 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2040 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2047 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The chair sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Creighton; to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 2047 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

The chair laid out SB 2052 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The chair sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Creighton; to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 2052 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2060 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2060 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2064 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2064 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 2015 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2015 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

The chair laid out SB 2020 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2020 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 469 and recognized the author, Senator Rodriguez, to explain the bill.  The chair sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Rodriguez; to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 469 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1989 and recognized the author, Senator Menendez, to explain the bill.  The chair sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Menendez; to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 1989 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair moved that the committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr., reconvened the meeting after the Senate adjourned business for the day.

 

The chair laid out SB 1510 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Lucio, Jr., moved SB 1510 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols. assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 2016 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr.  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2016 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1639 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.  The chair sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Campbell; to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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 Lucio, Jr., moved committee substitute and SB 1639 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 2045 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton  to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 2045 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1691 and recognized Senator Menendez, to explain the bill in absence of the author.   The chair sent up the committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Menendez; to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved committee substitute and SB 1691 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SJR 64 and recognized Senator Menendez  to explain the SJR in absence of the author. Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SJR 64 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 327 and recognized, Senator Menendez  to explain the SB 327 in absence of the author.  Witnesses testifying and/or 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.  The chair moved that SB 327 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SCR 39 and recognized the author, Senator Menendez,  to explain the SCR. The chair opened up public testimony.  There not being any testimony, the chair moved public testimony to be closed and left SCR 39 pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1362 and the committee substitute.  Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1362 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 1362 be reported back 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.  A motion in writing form was submitted by Senator Campbell indicating an aye vote. Senator Bettencourt moved that the committee substitute for SB 1362 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1998 and the committee substitute.  Senator Menendez moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Menendez moved that SB 1998 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 1998 be reported back 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. A motion in writing form was submitted by Senator Campbell indicating an aye vote. Senator Bettencourt moved that the committee substitute for SB 1998 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2063 and the committee substitute.  Senator Lucio moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio moved that SB 2063 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 2063 be reported back 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. Amotion in writing form was submitted by Senator Campbell indicating an aye vote.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 896 and the committee substitute.  Senator Garcia moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Garcia moved that SB 896 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 896 be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.

 

The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent. A motion in writing form was submitted by Senator Campbell indicating an aye vote.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the committee substitute for SB 896 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Bettencourt moved to adopt the hearing minutes of April 22, 2015; there being no objection, the motion was adopted.

 

The chair brought up pending business SB 2022.  Discussion followed.  The bill was left pending.

 

There being no further business, Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Donna Chatham, Clerk