MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

8:00 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 Health & Human Services was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in the Senate Chamber.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair	None
Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Charles Perry
Senator José Rodríguez
Senator Van Taylor
Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1814. The chair laid out HB 1180, the House companion, in lieu of SB 1814, and recognized the sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill. 

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

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 1180 do not pass but that CSHB 1180 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 Schwertner 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 202.

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

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

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

Senator Uresti moved that SB 202 do not pass but that CSSB 202 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

The chair laid out HB 1679 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

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

The chair closed public testimony on the bill.

Senator Zaffirini moved that HB 1679 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Schwertner 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 1018. The chair laid out HB 1945, the House companion, in lieu of SB 1018.

Senator Zaffirini sent up Committee Amendment 1 and was recognized to explain the amendment.  Senator Zaffirini moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 1; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Campbell moved that HB 1945 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out HB 1769 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

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

The chair closed public testimony on the bill.

Senator Uresti moved that HB 1769 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

At 8:19 AM Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.

The chair laid out HB 1678 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. 

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

The chair closed public testimony on the bill.

Senator Schwertner moved that HB 1678 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

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

At 8:21 AM Senator Schwertner resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 960 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

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

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

The chair closed public testimony on the bill. The bill was left pending.

There being no further business, at 8:52 AM Senator Schwertner moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Charles Schwertner, Chair

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Meagan Kirby, Clerk