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MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, April 15, 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 15, 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 laid out SB 272 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hancock 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 Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hancock moved that SB 272 do not pass but that CSSB 272 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 Fraser, Senator Kolkhorst and Senator Taylor 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 1530 and recognized the author, Senator Burton, to explain the bill.  Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Burton to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. The chair opened the floor for public testimony. There being none, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 1530 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1292 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 1292 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1709 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill. Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Huffman 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 1709 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 840.  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 840 do not pass but that CSSB 840 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, Senator Kolkhorst and Senator Taylor requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1831 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 Huffines moved that SB 1831 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 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 SB 1837 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Menéndez 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 1837 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 321 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill. 

Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa 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.

 

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

 

Testimony continued.

 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

Testimony continued.  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 321 do not pass but that CSSB 321 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Fraser and Senator Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting nay; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1294.  Senator Nichols moved that a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing be pulled down; without objection, it was so ordered.  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 1294 do not pass but that CSSB 1294 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; Senator Fraser requested unanimous consent to be shown voting nay; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 971 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.  Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Perry 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 971 do not pass but that CSSB 971 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, Senator Garcia 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 SB 1715 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, 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 Ellis moved that SB 1715 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion failed with a record vote of 3 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.

 

The chair laid out SB 1167 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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 Nichols moved that SB 1167 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

At 10:53 AM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed until 15 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 4:30 PM Senator Nichols reconvened the Committee.

 

The chair laid out SB 1756 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 Taylor moved that SB 1756 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 and Senator Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Taylor moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1982 and recognized the author, 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 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 Kolkhorst moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 1982 do not pass but that CSSB 1982 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 Ellis and Senator Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Kolkhorst 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 SJR 62 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.  Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Nichols requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into the committee substitute to create a new 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 SJR 62 do not pass but that CSSJR 62 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Fraser and Senator Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting nay; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 5:04 PM 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