MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Monday, May 11, 2015

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

*****

 

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 Monday, May 11, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

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

 

 

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out HB 663 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Huffines sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Seliger to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  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 HB 663 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

The chair laid out HB 978 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Seliger, 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 HB 978 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2181 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Taylor, 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 HB 2181 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 3868 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 3868 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 789 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Taylor, 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 house bill as engrossed. 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 HB 789 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 923 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Taylor, 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 house bill as engrossed. 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 HB 923 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 315 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed. 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 HB 315 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

The chair laid out HB 1963 and recognized Senator Taylor, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, 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.

 

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

 

Senator Taylor moved that HB 1963 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 Ellis, Senator Fraser, Senator Garcia and Senator Kolkhorst 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.

 

Senator Huffines assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 598 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 HB 598 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 792 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 house bill as engrossed.

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 HB 792 and its proposed committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 2115 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Nichols moved that HB 2115 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 598, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Nichols moved that HB 598 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 792, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Nichols moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Nichols moved that HB 792 do not pass but that CSHB 792 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 Nichols moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 716 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 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 Nichols moved that HB 716 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 481 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Kolkhorst, 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 Kolkhorst moved that HB 481 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 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 as a matter of pending business HB 833.  Senator Nichols moved that HB 833 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 Garcia 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 HB 122.  Senator Nichols moved that HB 122 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 Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 219.  Senator Nichols moved that HB 219 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 Garcia 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.

 

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2208.  Senator Huffines moved that HB 2208 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 75, in lieu of SB 658, which was left pending at a previous hearing. 

Senator Huffines moved that HB 75 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Garcia requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 315, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Huffines moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that HB 315 do not pass but that CSHB 315 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 Garcia 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 HB 481, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 481 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 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.

 

The chair laid out HB 663, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Huffines moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that HB 663 do not pass but that CSHB 663 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 Garcia 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 HB 789, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Huffines moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Huffines moved that HB 789 do not pass but that CSHB 789 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 Garcia 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 HB 923, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Taylor moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Taylor moved that HB 923 do not pass but that CSHB 923 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 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 HB 978, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Huffines moved that HB 978 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 Garcia 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 HB 1833, in lieu of SB 629, which was left pending at a previous hearing. 

Senator Huffines moved that HB 1833 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 Garcia 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 HB 2181, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Taylor moved that HB 2181 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 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 HB 3868, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Huffines moved that HB 3868 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 Garcia 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.

 

There being no further business, at 10:02 AM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Amy Jeter, Clerk