MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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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 Intergovernmental Relations was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair		None
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Don Huffines
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Van Taylor

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM. The Chair moved the Committee stand at ease. At 9:08 AM the Chair reconvened the Committee. There being a quorum present at 9:08 AM, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called: Senator Van Taylor, Senator Don Huffines, and Senator Paul Bettencourt.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1434. The Chair sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Garcia moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Garcia moved that SB 1434 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator Garcia moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 692 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill. Senator Garcia sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Rodríguez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Campbell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that public testimony be opened. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 692 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Huffines submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting nay.

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 554. Senator Campbell sent up a committee substitute. The Chair recognized Senator Campbell, in absence of the author, to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. Senator Campbell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Campbell moved that SB 554 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Garcia 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 1878. Senator Campbell moved that SB 1878 be reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Campbell moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The Chair laid out SB 1238 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, to explain the bill. The Chair moved that public testimony be opened. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 1238 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye. 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 655 and recognized the author, Senator Bettencourt, to explain the bill. The Chair moved that public testimony be opened. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 655 be reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Garcia submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

The Chair laid out SB 715 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 senate bill as filed. Senator Campbell moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. The Chair moved that public testimony be opened. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

At 10:56 AM the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 3:18 PM the Chair reconvened the Committee.

The Chair laid out SB 715 and public testimony on the bill resumed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered. Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 715 be reported back to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass and be printed but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

There being no further business, at 5:37 PM the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

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Dilip Kanuga, Clerk