MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, April 1, 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, April 1, 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. The following business was transacted:

The chair laid out SB 1184 and recognized the author, Senator Huffines, to explain the bill.

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

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

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 1184 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1308 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 1308 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1236 and recognized the author, Senator Taylor, Van, 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 1236 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 658 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 658 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1731 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the author, 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 1731 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1043 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 Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1043 do not pass but that CSSB 1043 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 Ellis and Senator Hancock requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1171.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so

ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1171 do not pass but that CSSB 1171 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 Ellis and Senator Hancock requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols 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 1172.  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. Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1172 do not pass but that CSSB 1172 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. 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1173.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of Committee Amendment #1 sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so

ordered. Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1173 do not pass but that CSSB 1173 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 449.  Senator Huffines moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; 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 Huffines moved that SB 449 do not pass but that CSSB 449 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.

There being no further business, at 9:54 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