MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Friday, May 22, 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 Friday, May 22, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair		Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair		Senator John Whitmire
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Joan Huffman
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Charles Schwertner
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. The following business was transacted:

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The clerk called roll. A quorum was present.

Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

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

Senator Nelson moved that HB 2 do not pass but that CSHB 2 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Nelson resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 6 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.

Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 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.

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

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 6 do not pass but that CSHB 6 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 8 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed. Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HJR 8 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on HB 8 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 HB 8 do not pass but that HB 8 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

Witnesses testifying and registering on HJR 8 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 HJR 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

The chair laid out HJR 111 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

The bill was left pending.

Senator Nelson resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 2318 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Resource witnesses are shown on the attached list.

The bill was left pending.

The chair laid out HB 3623 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

The bill was temporarily left pending.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1841 by Senator Perry, and explained the bill.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 1841 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2896 by Senator Bettencourt, and explained the bill.

Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Bettencourt moved that HB 2896 do not pass but that CSHB 2896 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 Nelson moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1905 by Senator Larry Taylor, and explained the bill.

Senator Larry Taylor moved that HB 1905 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

The chair moved that the public testimony on HB 3623 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 3623 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.

Senator Schwertner submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 2 and HB 6.

Senator Huffman submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 8, HJR 8, HB 1841, HB 2896, HB 6, HB 1905 and HB 3623.

There being no further business, at 10:03 AM Senator Jane 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