MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

7:30 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator John Carona

Senator Kirk Watson

Senator Wendy Davis

Senator Joan Huffman

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Florence Shapiro

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Jeff Wentworth

Senator Rodney Ellis

 

None

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 2060 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. Witnesses testifying on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 2983 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Watson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hegar to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed.

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. The witness registering on the bill is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

At 7:54 a.m. Senator Watson assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1831 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Carona sent up Committee Amendment 1 and was recognized to explain the amendment.

 

The chair opened public testimony on 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out and SB 1984 and recognized Senator Nichols, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nichols to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. There being no witnesses, the chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending

 

The chair laid out HB 875 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Carona, to explain the bill. 

 

The chair opened public testimony on 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. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out SJR 55 and recognized the author, Senator Carona, to explain the bill.  

 

The chair opened public testimony on the bill. The witness registering on the bill is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair announced that the bill would be left pending.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2983. 

 

Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that HB 2983 do not pass but that CSSB 2983 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, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Nichols 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 HB 875.

 

Senator Carona moved that HB 875 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. 

 

Senator Carona 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 1984.  

 

Senator Nichols moved adoption of the committee substitute that was previously sent up; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1984 do not pass but that CSSB 1984 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, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. 

 

At 8:15 a.m. Senator Carona resumed the chair.

 

The chair moved to adopt the motions in writing of Senators Shapiro, Wentworth, and Ellis; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 8:19 a.m. Senator Watson 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 Carona, Chair

 

 

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Kelsey Erickson, Clerk