MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Thursday, April 23, 2015

9:00 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 State Affairs was held on Thursday, April 23, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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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 9:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The chair laid out SB 142 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Garcia 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 142 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 640 and recognized the author, Senator Garcia, to explain the bill.

 

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

 

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 640 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 813 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 813 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 821 and recognized the author, Senator Rodríguez, 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 821 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending SB 550.

 

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

 

The chair moved that SB 550 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business SB 1733.

 

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

 

The chair moved that SB 1733 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 284 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator West 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 284 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1970 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. Senator Huffman 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.

 

The chair moved that SB 1970 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 1876 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 1876 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 681 and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Zaffirini 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 681 and the committee substitute be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business the committee substitute to SB 142.

 

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

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 142 do not pass but that CSSB 142 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 Fraser, Senator Nelson, and Senator Schwertner requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 409.

 

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

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 409 do not pass but that CSSB 409 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 Fraser and Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 455.

 

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

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 455 do not pass but that CSSB 455 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 Fraser and Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 550.

 

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

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 550 do not pass but that CSSB 550 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 Fraser and Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 640.

 

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

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 640 do not pass but that CSSB 640 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Fraser requested unanimous consent to be shown voting nay; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business the committee substitute to SB 681.

 

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

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 681 do not pass but that CSSB 681 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 733.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 733 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 Fraser and Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 813.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 813 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 Fraser and Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 821.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 821 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 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 1072.

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1072 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute  to SB 1341.

 

Senator Estes moved that SB 1341 do not pass but that CSSB 1341 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 1523.

 

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

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1523 do not pass but that CSSB 1523 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 1726.

 

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

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1726 do not pass but that CSSB 1726 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 1727.

 

Senator Creighton moved that SB 1727 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 1733.

 

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

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1733 do not pass but that CSSB 1733 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 1779.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1779 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 the committee substitute to SB 1876.

 

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

 

Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1876 do not pass but that CSSB 1876 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 Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

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 1925.

 

Senator Ellis moved that SB 1925 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Ellis assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business the committee substitute to SB 1970.

 

Senator Huffman moved that SB 1970 do not pass but that CSSB 1970 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Nelson requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Huffman resumed the chair.

 

There being no further business, at 10:32 AM 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