MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

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 Criminal Justice 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 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

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:50 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

At 3:50 PM Senator Perry assumed the chair. 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Huffman

Senator Creighton

Senator Garcia

Senator Hughes

The chair laid out SB 291 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, to explain the bill.

Senator Burton sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Whitmire to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Whitmire moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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.

Senator Whitmire moved that SB 291 do not pass but that CSSB 291 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Menéndez was shown present and not voting.

At 4:32 PM Senator Whitmire resumed the chair.

The chair laid out SB 1163 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill.

Senator Whitmire sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Garcia to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Whitmire moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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.

Senator Perry moved that SB 1163 do not pass but that CSSB 1163 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.

The chair laid out SB 1575 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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 Menéndez moved that SB 1575 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 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 1576 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

Senator Whitmire 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 Whitmire moved adoption of the committee substitute; 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.

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1576 do not pass but that CSSB 1576 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Birdwell was absent.

Senator Perry 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 4:53 PM Senator Whitmire moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator John Whitmire, Chair

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Terra Tucker, Clerk