MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, April 13, 2015

9:00 AM

Senate Chamber

 

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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 State Affairs was held on Monday, April 13, 2015, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

 

None

Senator Rodney Ellis, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Brandon Creighton

 

 

Senator Craig Estes

 

 

Senator Troy Fraser

 

 

Senator Jane Nelson

 

 

Senator Charles Schwertner

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SJR 52 and recognized the author, Senator Campbell, 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.

 

The chair moved that SJR 52 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 817.

 

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

 

The chair moved that SB 817 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 473 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 473 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 795 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Birdwell sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Perry 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 795 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1547 and recognized the author, Senator Perry, 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1547 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 476 and recognized the author, Senator Kolkhorst, 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 476 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1684 and recognized the author, Senator Huffines, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Huffines 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1684 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Creighton assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 491 and recognized the author, Senator Schwertner, 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 491 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1791 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1791 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1792 and recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ellis 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1792 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1073 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1073 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1020 and recognized the author, Senator Creighton, 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1020 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 627.

 

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

 

The chair moved that SB 627 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 1939 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Huffman 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1939 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 735 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Fraser sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Fraser 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 735 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:12 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed until 1:00 PM. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:09 PM Senator Huffman reconvened the meeting.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 28.

 

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 28 do not pass but that CSSB 28 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 Zaffirini 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 251.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute. Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 251 do not pass but that CSSB 251 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 473.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 473 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 Ellis 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 476.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 476 be reported favorably 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.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 795.

 

Senator Creighton sent up a committee substitute. Senator Creighton moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 795 do not pass but that CSSB 795 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 Creighton 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 817.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute. Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 817 do not pass but that CSSB 817 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 Ellis 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 950.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 950 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 Ellis 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 1020.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1020 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 Ellis 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 1073.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1073 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 Ellis 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 1115.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1115 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 Ellis 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 1369.

 

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute. Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1369 do not pass but that CSSB 1369 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 Zaffirini 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 1448.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute. Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1448 do not pass but that CSSB 1448 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 Ellis 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 1457.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute.

 

Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.

 

Senator Ellis requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Ellis moved that SB 1457 do not pass but that CSSB 1457 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1547.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1547 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 Ellis 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 1791.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1791 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.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1792.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute. Senator Ellis moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1792 do not pass but that CSSB 1792 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 Ellis 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 SJR 52.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SJR 52 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.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 479.

 

Senator Schwertner sent up a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Schwertner moved that SB 479 do not pass but that CSSB 479 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 Ellis assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 627.

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute. Senator Huffman moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 627 do not pass but that CSSB 627 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.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1139.

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute. Senator Huffman moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1139 do not pass but that CSSB 1139 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 as a matter of pending business SB 1706.

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1706 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 Huffman 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 1939.

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute. Senator Huffman moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1939 do not pass but that CSSB 1939 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 Huffman 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 1968.

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute. Senator Huffman moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1968 do not pass but that CSSB 1968 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1984.

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute. Senator Huffman moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman 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, 2 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SJR 66.

 

Senator Huffman sent up a committee substitute. Senator Huffman moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman moved that SJR 66 do not pass but that CSSJR 66 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 Huffman resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 1:36 PM Senator Huffman moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

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Senator Joan Huffman, Chair

 

 

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Ashley Brooks, Clerk