MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Thursday, March 19, 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 Thursday, March 19, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair	Senator John Whitmire
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Joan Huffman
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Kirk Watson
Senator Royce West

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair made opening remarks.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 20 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

Senator Nelson withdrew the committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. 

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

Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Schwertner sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Hancock sent up Committee Amendment 3 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 4 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Uresti sent up Committee Amendment 5 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendments into the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nelson then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nelson moved that SB 20 do not pass but that CSSB 20 be reported back 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.

Senator Nelson asked that the vote be left open until noon; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West and Senator Taylor submitted motions in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 20.

The chair laid out SB 18 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. Senator Nelson 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.

At 11:00 AM Senator Hinojosa moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 12:03 PM Senator Nelson reconvened the Committee.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

Testimony continued on SB 18.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.   

The chair moved that SB 18 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nelson resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 12:11 PM 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