MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

8:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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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 Transportation was held on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Nichols, Chair	Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Don Huffines, Vice Chair	Senator Bob Hall
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Van Taylor

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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 SB 398 and recognized the author, 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.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 398 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 45 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 45 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Ellis requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 227 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 227 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Ellis requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 288 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.  Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes 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 moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Huffines moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 288 do not pass but that CSSB 288 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Kolkhorst and Senator Taylor requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 415 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.  Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Watson 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 moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Huffines moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 415 do not pass but that CSSB 415 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Kolkhorst and Senator Taylor requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 562 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 562 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 8:42 AM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

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Amy Jeter, Clerk