MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, April 19, 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 19, 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 9:00 AM.  There being a quorum present at 9:10 AM, the following business was transacted:

 

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

 

The Chair laid out SB 1727 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, 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.  The Chair moved that SB 1727 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1931 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.  Senator Garcia sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and senate bill as filed.  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.  The Chair moved that SB 1931 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 814.  Senator Bettencourt moved to withdraw the committee amendment sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Garcia sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, 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 814 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 Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2244 and recognized the author, Senator West, 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.  The Chair moved that SB 2244 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1526 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses 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 1526 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 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt 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 2117.  Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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.  The Chair moved that SB 2117 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 625.  Senator Bettencourt moved to withdraw the committee substitute sent up at a previous hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Bettencourt moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Bettencourt moved that SB 625 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 Campbell submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2260 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses 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 2260 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 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 2261 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses 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 2260 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 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.  Senator Bettencourt moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:15 AM Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1673 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr., 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 Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee amendment.  The Chair recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee amendment and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee amendment; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved to roll the adopted amendment to the body of the bill to create a committee substitute; without objection it was so ordered.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 1673 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing form requesting unanimous consent to be shown voting aye.

 

At 10:50 AM Senator Lucio, Jr. resumed the chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 517 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill.  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.  The Chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that public testimony be opened.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The Chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection it was so ordered.  The Chair moved that SB 517 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 636 and recognized the author, Senator Huffines, 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.  The Chair moved that SB 636 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 10:59 AM the Chair moved that the Committee stand recessed until after adjournment of the Senate.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:51 PM the Chair reconvened the Committee.

 

The Chair laid out SB 760 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill.  Senator Menéndez sent up a committee substitute.  The Chair recognized Senator Menéndez to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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.  The Chair moved that SB 760 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 4:49 PM Senator Bettencourt 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