MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Thursday, May 7, 2015

8:30 AM

Extension Auditorium, E1.004

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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 Thursday, May 7, 2015, in the Extension Auditorium, E1.004.

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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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:40 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Campbell, Senator Menendez, Senator Nichols.

Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on April 20, 2015, and May 4, 2015; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2878 and recognized Senator Rodriguez 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 2878 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. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1148 and recognized Senator Schwertner 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 HB 1148 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. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3185 and recognized Senator Lucio 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 Lucio moved that HB 3185 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. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye. Senator Lucio moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2476 and recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the bill. The chair laid out the committee substitute and called on Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the bill and the committee substitute. 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 Bettencourt moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2476 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 2476 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 no voting and 1 absent. Senators Menendez and Campbell submitted motion in writing forms indicating to vote aye. Senator Taylor moved that the committee substitute be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2559 and recognized 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 2559 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out HB 1662 and recognized Senator Perry to explain the bill. There being no witnesses wishing to testify or register for the bill, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 1662 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out HB 2002 and recognized Senator Perry 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 Bettencourt moved that HB 2002 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out HB 795 and recognized Senator Perry to explain the bill. There being no witnesses to register on or testify on the bill, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Perry moved that HB 795 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out SB 905 and recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the bill. The chair laid out the committee substitute and called on Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the bill and the committee substitute. There being no witnesses the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Nichols moved that SB 905 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 905 be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present no voting and 1 absent. Senator Campbell submitted motion in writing forms indicating to vote nay. Senator Nichols moved that the committee substitute be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 3545 and recognized Senator Lucio to explain the bill. The chair laid out the committee substitute and called on Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the bill and the committee substitute. There being no witnesses to register on the bill or testify, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Watson moved that HB 3545 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Lucio moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out HB 2515 and recognized Senator Lucio 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 Lucio moved that HB 2515 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

Senator Lucio assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2913 and recognized Senator Fraser 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 HB 2913 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1855 and the committee substitute. Senator Lucio moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Lucio moved that SB 1855 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 1855 be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present no voting and 0 absent. Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Lucio assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1068 and recognized Senator Garcia 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 Garcia moved that HB 1068 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Lucio moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Campbell and Menendez submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out HB 1428 as the companion SB 1883 and called on Senator Garcia to explain the bill. Discussion followed regarding that the house bill companion was not identical to SB 1883.

The chair moved that the committee stand at ease until 9:45am. The chair called the committee to order at 9:48. Senator Garcia moved to withdraw HB 1428 in order to obtain clarification regarding its substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2410 and recognized Senator Menendez 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 Menendez moved that HB 2410 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 Menendez moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out HB 3067 and recognized Senator Bettencourt 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 HB 3067 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Lucio moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out HB 1186 and recognized Senator Bettencourt 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 Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 1186 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair brought up pending business SB 1542 and laid out its identical companion HB 3513 in lieu of SB 1542. HB 3513 was the same subject and eligible for consideration. Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 3513 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 HB 3513 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 310. Senator Campbell moved that SB 310 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, 0 present not voting and 2 absent. Senator Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating an aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 469 and the committee substitute. Senator Garcia moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Garcia moved that SB 469 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 469 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 no voting and 1 absent. Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting an aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1639 and the committee substitute. Senator Campbell moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Campbell moved that SB1639 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 1639 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 no voting and 1 absent. Senator Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1658 and the committee substitute. Senator Lucio moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Garcia moved that SB 1658 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 1658 be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present no voting and 0 absent. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting a nay.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1691 and the committee substitute. Senator Lucio moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1691 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 1691 be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present no voting and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1908 and the committee substitute. Senator Bettencourt moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1908 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 1908 be reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present no voting and 0 absent. Senator Taylor moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2023. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2023 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating an aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2057. Senator Taylor moved that SB 2057 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating an aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2066 and the committee substitute. Senator Garcia moved that the committee substitute be adopted; there being no objection, the substitute was adopted. Senator Garcia moved that SB 2066 be reported back to the full senate with the recommendation that it do not pass but that the committee substitute for SB 2066 be

reported back with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a

record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present no voting and 0 absent. Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senators Nichols and Campbell submitted a motion in writing form indicating voting aye.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 2068. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 2068 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 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 0 absent. Senator Taylor moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols submitted a motion in writing form indicating an aye.

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.

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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

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Donna Chatham, Clerk