MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, April 22, 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 22, 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 1788 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1788 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1875 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill.

Senator Hancock 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 moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1875 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1788 which had been left pending earlier in the hearing awaiting public testimony. 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 1788 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1987 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.

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

Senator Huffines moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Huffines moved that SB 1987 do not pass but that CSSB 1987 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 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 1577 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, 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 1577 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Fraser and Senator Taylor requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1059 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. 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 1059 do not pass but that CSSB 1059 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 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 1737 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. 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 1737 do not pass but that CSSB 1737 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 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 1338 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 1338 do not pass but that CSSB 1338 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 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 754 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 754 do not pass but that CSSB 754 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 Fraser 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 1919 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 Nichols moved that SB 1919 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1424 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1424 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1803 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1803 be left pending to await public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1424 which had been left pending earlier in the hearing awaiting public testimony. 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 1424 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1803 which had been left pending earlier in the hearing awaiting public testimony. 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 1803 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2041 and recognized Senator Taylor, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Taylor sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Taylor 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 Taylor moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Taylor moved that SB 2041 do not pass but that CSSB 2041 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 Taylor 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 1502. 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. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1502 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 1504. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1504 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1530. 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 1530 do not pass but that CSSB 1530 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1184. Senator Huffines moved that a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing be pulled down; without objection, it was so ordered. 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. Senator Huffines moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffines moved that SB 1184 do not pass but that CSSB 1184 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1292. Senator Ellis moved that a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing be pulled down; without objection, it was so ordered. 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 Nichols moved that SB 1292 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 1502 and its committee substitute adopted earlier in the hearing. The chair recognized Senator Garcia to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Garcia moved that SB 1502 be reported favorably 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.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1504. Senator Garcia moved that a committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing be pulled down; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Garcia sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Garcia to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Nichols moved that SB 1504 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 9:40 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