MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, May 18, 2015

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

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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 State Affairs was held on Monday, May 18, 2015, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Joan Huffman, Chair	None
Senator Rodney Ellis, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out HB 2193 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, 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.

The chair moved that HB 2193 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3160 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator West, 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.

The chair moved that HB 3160 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2182 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Creighton 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.

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

The chair moved that HB 2182 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2747 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Creighton, 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.

The chair moved that HB 2747 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1692 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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.

The chair moved that HB 1692 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1510 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill.

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Garcia 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.

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

The chair moved that HB 1510 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1079 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Perry, 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.

The chair moved that HB 1079 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 943 and recognized Senator Garcia, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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.

The chair moved that HB 943 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 4086 and recognized Senator Garcia, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.

No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.

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

The chair moved that HB 4086 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 1096 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

The chair moved that HB 1096 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2778 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

The chair moved that HB 2778 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2573 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.

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

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.

The chair moved that HB 2573 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 2354 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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.

The chair moved that HB 2354 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out, as a matter of pending business, SB 491 and its House Companion, HB 1492, and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain HB 1492.

The chair moved that HB 1492 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 3747 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.

No witnesses testified or registered on the bill.

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

The chair moved that HB 3747 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Estes assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1927 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Huffman 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.

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

Senator Huffman moved that HB 1927 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out HB 9 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Huffman, 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.

The chair moved that HB 9 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 10:49 AM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 1:48 PM Senator Huffman reconvened the meeting.

The chair laid out HB 910 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.

Senator Estes sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes 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.

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

The chair moved that HB 910 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:02 PM the chair moved that the committee stand at ease pending the arrival of a quorum.

Upon arrival of a quorum, at 3:14 PM, the chair laid out as a matter of pending business the committee substitute to HB 910.

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

Senator Estes moved that HB 910 do not pass but that CSHB 910 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Creighton and Senator Fraser requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 943.

Senator Ellis moved that HB 943 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Creighton and Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1079.

Senator Ellis moved that HB 1079 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell, Senator Creighton, Senator Fraser, and Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis 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 HB 1492.

Senator Schwertner moved that HB 1492 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell, Senator Creighton, and Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis 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 the committee substitute to HB 1510.

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

Senator Ellis moved that HB 1510 do not pass but that CSHB 1510 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell, Senator Creighton, and Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis 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 the committee substitute to HB 2182.

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

Senator Ellis moved that HB 2182 do not pass but that CSHB 2182 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell, Senator Creighton, and Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2193.

Senator Estes moved that HB 2193 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Birdwell, Senator Creighton, and Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis 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 HB 2354.

Senator Schwertner moved that HB 2354 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Creighton and Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis 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 the committee substitute HB 2573.

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

Senator Ellis moved that HB 2573 do not pass but that CSHB 2573 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Ellis 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 HB 2747.

Senator Creighton moved that HB 2747 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Ellis 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 HB 2778.

Senator Ellis moved that HB 2778 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Ellis 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 HB 3160.

Senator Ellis moved that HB 3160 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Ellis 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 HB 3747.

Senator Estes moved that HB 3747 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Estes 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 HB 4086.

Senator Ellis moved that HB 4086 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Ellis 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 HB 1096.

Senator Estes moved that HB 1096 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 9.

Senator Huffman moved that HB 9 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1692.

Senator Huffman moved that HB 1692 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business the committee substitute HB 1927. 

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

Senator Huffman moved that HB 1927 do not pass but that CSHB 1927 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

Senator Huffman moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business the committee substitute to SB 1684.

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

Senator Estes moved that SB 1684 do not pass but that CSSB 1684 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

There being no further business, at 3:31 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

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Ashley Brooks, Clerk