MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

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 Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, March 28, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair	None
Senator Brandon Creighton, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Judith Zaffirini

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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:

Senator Hancock made opening comments.

Senator Whitmire moved that testimony would be limited to 3 minutes; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 252 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the author.

Senator Whitmire moved that SB 252 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 Whitmire 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 520 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the author. Senator Whitmire moved that SB 520 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 Whitmire 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 706 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the author. Senator Whitmire moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Whitmire moved that SB 706 do not pass but that CSSB 706 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 Whitmire moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 750 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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 Hancock moved that SB 750 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1147 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair. 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1147 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 417 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell 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 Hancock moved committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 341 and recognized Senator Whitmire, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Witnesses 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 that SB 341 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1248 and recognized the author, Senator Buckingham, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Buckingham 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 committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 896 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Seliger 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 Creighton assumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton moved committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton announced that the hearing would reconvene in the Betty King room upon adjournment of the Senate.

At 10:10 AM Senator Creighton moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 4:00 PM Senator Hancock reconvened the meeting.

Senator Larry Taylor assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 734 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, 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. 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 chair laid out SB 951 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Creighton moved that SB 951 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 952 and recognized the author, Senator Hancock, 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 Creighton moved that SB 952 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1519 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 Creighton moved committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Hancock resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 718 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Creighton 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 committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1012 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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 Hancock moved that SB 1012 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1760 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. Senator Hancock moved that SB 1760 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1176 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, to explain the bill.

Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Campbell 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 committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

Motions in Writing requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye were submitted by the following: Senator Creighton on SB 252, SB 520, and CSSB 706; Senator Estes on SB 252, SB 520, and CSSB 706;  Senator Larry Taylor on SB 252, SB 520, and CSSB 706. These votes are reflected in the final votes on the aforementioned bills.

There was no action taken for the following bill:

SB 838

There being no further business, at 4:51 PM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk