MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

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 Criminal Justice was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

*****

MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator John Whitmire, Chair	None
Senator Joan Huffman, Vice Chair
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Konni Burton
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Bryan Hughes
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Charles Perry

*****

The chair called the meeting to order at 5:42 PM. There being a quorum present at 5:49 PM, the following business was transacted:

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Joan Huffman

Senator Konni Burton

Senator Sylvia Garcia

Senator Bryan Hughes

Senator Charles Perry

At 5:43 PM Senator Birdwell assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 920 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, 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 Birdwell moved that SB 920 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:46 PM Senator Whitmire resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1124 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, 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 Whitmire moved that SB 1124 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 227 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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.

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Perry moved that SB 227 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 Birdwell, Senator Creighton and Senator Menendez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 227.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

As a matter of pending business, the Chair recognized Senator Huffman for a motion. Senator Huffman moved that SB 1124 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 Birdwell, Senator Creighton and Senator Menendez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 1124.

Senator Perry 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 920. Senator Huffman moved that SB 920 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 Birdwell, Senator Creighton and Senator Menendez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 920.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 343 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Perry to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Perry moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Huffman moved that SB 343 do not pass but that CSSB 343 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 Birdwell, Senator Creighton and Senator Menendez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 343.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:56 PM Senator Huffman assumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 581 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, 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 Whitmire moved that SB 581 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 Birdwell, Senator Creighton and Senator Menendez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 581.

Senator Whitmire moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

At 5:59 PM Senator Whitmire resumed the chair.

The chair laid out CSSB 325 and recognized the author, Senator Burton, to explain the substituted bill.

Senator Burton moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

Senator Perry moved that SB 325 do not pass but that CSSB 325 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 Birdwell, Senator Creighton and Senator Menendez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 325.

Senator Perry moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 326 and recognized the author, Senator Burton, to explain the bill.

Senator Perry moved that SB 326 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 Birdwell, Senator Creighton and Senator Menendez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 326.

Senator Huffman 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 6:03 PM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

__________________________________________

Senator John Whitmire, Chair

__________________________________________

Terra Tucker, Clerk