MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

11:00 AM or upon adjournment of the Senate

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 Wednesday, March 25, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair	None
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
Senator John Whitmire

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:35 PM. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 2004 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill.

Senator Eltife sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Eltife to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Eltife moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

No witnesses provided oral testimony or submitted witness cards for SB 2004.

Senator Eltife moved that SB 2004 do not pass but that CSSB 2004 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

Senator Eltife 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 2.

Senator Eltife laid out workgroup recommendations for Facilities.

Resource witnesses are shown on the attached list.

Senator Eltife moved to sever item 5 on page 19 under Agency Exceptional Item and Requests. There was no objection.

Senator Eltife moved adoption of workgroup recommendations for Facilities. Without objection, the recommendations were adopted.

Senator Eltife moved that item 5 on page 19 be adopted. There was objection.

The motion carried with a record vote of 13 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 18 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

Senator Nelson moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute was adopted at the hearing on March 19. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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

Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to incorporate Amendment 1 into the committee substitute to create a new 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 18 do not pass but that CSSB 18 be reported back 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 resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 9 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 2 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute for SB 9; the chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute for SJR 2; the chair recognized Senator Hancock to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.

Resource witnesses are shown on the attached list.

Senator Hancock moved that SB 9 and SJR 2 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West laid out workgroup recommendations for Information Technology.

Resource witnesses are shown on the attached list.

Senator Nelson moved that item 2 on page 16 under Agency Requests be moved to Article XI.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator West moved that workgroup recommendations on Information Technology be adopted, as amended. Without objection, the recommendations were adopted.

Senator Nelson laid out Article X and moved adoption. Without objection, Article X was adopted. 

Senator Huffman laid out recommendations for Employees Retirement System.

Resource witnesses are shown on the attached list.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

Senator Nelson resumed the chair.

Senator Nelson moved to pend Employees Retirement System recommendations. Without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nelson laid out recommendations for Compensation.

Resource witnesses are shown on the attached list.

Senator Nelson moved to adopt recommendations for Compensation. Without objection, the recommendations were adopted.

Senator Nelson moved that SB 2 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Kolkhorst submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 2004.

Senator West submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on SB 2004. 

There being no further business, at 5:49 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