MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
9:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
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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 Finance was held on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Jane Nelson, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Kevin Eltife |
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Senator Kelly Hancock |
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Senator Joan Huffman |
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst |
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Senator Robert Nichols |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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Senator Kel Seliger |
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Senator Larry Taylor |
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Senator Carlos Uresti |
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Senator Kirk Watson |
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Senator Royce West |
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Senator John Whitmire |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:09 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair laid out SB 9 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.
The chair laid out SJR 2 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 9 and SJR 2 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.
Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 1 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.
Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.
Resource witnesses testifying on SB 1 and SJR 1 are shown on the attached list.
Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute for SB 1 ; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 1 do not pass but that CSSB 1 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute for SJR 1 ; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson moved that SJR 1 do not pass but that CSSJR 1 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 7 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.
Senator Hancock sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Resource witnesses testifying on SB 7 are shown on the attached list.
Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate Amendment 1 into a committee substitute, and moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 7 do not pass but that CSSB 7 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Nelson resumed the chair.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 8 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill.
Senator Schwertner moved that SB 8 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 31 by Senator Zaffirini, and explained the bill.
Senator Whitmire moved that SB 31 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Nelson 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 140 by Perry, and explained the bill.
Senator Nichols moved that SB 140 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Nelson 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 752 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 752 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 15 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 757 by Senator Perry, and explained the bill.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 757 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 759 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.
Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 759 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 14 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 761 by Senator Creighton, and explained the bill.
Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 761 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 14 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
There being no further business, at 11:00 AM Senator Nelson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Jane Nelson, Chair
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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk