MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Wednesday, April 5, 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 Transportation was held on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Nichols, Chair	None
Senator Bob Hall, Vice Chair
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Charles Perry
Senator José Rodríguez

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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:

The chair laid out SB 779 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 779 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 599 and recognized the author, Senator Burton, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 599 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1349 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, 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 Nichols moved that SB 1349 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 266 and recognized the author, Senator Watson, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 266 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1179 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson 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 Nichols moved that SB 1179 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1877 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 Nichols moved that SB 1877 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1187 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1187 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1371 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, to explain the bill. 

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Menéndez 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 Nichols moved that SB 1371 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 2110 and recognized the author, Senator Menéndez, 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 Nichols moved that SB 2110 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair laid out SB 977 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. 

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 977 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 979 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. 

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 979 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 980 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, to explain the bill. 

Senator Hall sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Schwertner to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Nichols moved that SB 980 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 975 and recognized the author, Senator Birdwell, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 975 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 981 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 981 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 90 and recognized the author, Senator Hall, to explain the bill.

Senator Nichols moved that SB 90 be left pending awaiting public testimony; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair opened public testimony on the following:  SB 90, SB 266, SB 599, SB 779, and SB 1187.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list. 

Senator Hall assumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

The chair moved that the registering a position only witness cards not be read aloud, but that they be entered into the witness list; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that the public testimony on SB 90, SB 266, SB 599, SB 779, and SB 1187 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that SB 90, SB 266, SB 599, SB 779, and SB 1187 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair opened public testimony on the following:  SB 975, SB 977, SB 979, SB 980, and SB 981.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bills are shown on the attached list. 

Senator Hall assumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

Senator Nichols resumed the chair.

Testimony continued.

The chair moved that the registering a position only witness cards not be read aloud, but that they be entered into the witness list; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that the public testimony on SB 975, SB 977, SB 979, SB 980, and SB 981 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  The chair moved that SB 975, SB 977, SB 979, SB 980, and SB 981 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

At 10:58 AM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it was so ordered.

At 2:58 PM Senator Nichols reconvened the Committee.

The chair laid out SB 975, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 975 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 Hall, Senator Creighton and Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 977, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Perry moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Perry moved that SB 977 do not pass but that CSSB 977 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Hall and Senator Creighton requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting nay; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 979, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Perry moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Perry moved that SB 979 do not pass but that CSSB 979 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 Hall, Senator Creighton and Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  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 980, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Perry moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Perry moved that SB 980 do not pass but that CSSB 980 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 7 ayes, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Hall requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting nay; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 981, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Kolkhorst moved that SB 981 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Hall and Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. 

The chair laid out SB 1179, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Perry moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Perry moved that SB 1179 do not pass but that CSSB 1179 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 Hall and Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  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 1371, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up at earlier in the hearing; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 1371 do not pass but that CSSB 1371 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 Hall and Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out SB 1877, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Perry moved that SB 1877 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 Hall and Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  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 2110, which had been left pending earlier in the hearing.  Senator Hinojosa moved that SB 2110 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 Hall and Senator Rodríguez requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Hinojosa 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 3:05 PM Senator Nichols moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Robert Nichols, Chair

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Amy Jeter, Clerk