MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, March 25, 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 25, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Nichols, Chair	None
Senator Don Huffines, Vice Chair
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Bob Hall
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 recognized and welcomed Texas Department of Transportation Commissioners Tryon Lewis and Bruce Brugg to the Committee.  The Commissioners made introductory remarks to the Committee.  Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 57.  Senator Huffines moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that SB 57 do not pass but that CSSB 57 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 Fraser and Senator Kolkhorst 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 as a matter of pending business SB 530.  Senator Hancock moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hancock moved that SB 530 do not pass but that CSSB 530 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 Fraser and Senator Kolkhorst requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 449 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Bettencourt 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 Nichols moved that SB 449 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1171 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols 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 that SB 1171 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1172 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 1172 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1173 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. 

Senator Fraser assumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Fraser moved that SB 1173 and its proposed committee amendment be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

There was no action taken for the following bill(s):  SB 1043.

There being no further business, at 9:21 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