MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

9:00 a.m.

Senate Chamber

 

*****

 

 

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services was held on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:                                                      MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Jane Nelson                                                               

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Kyle Janek

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Dan Patrick

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Carlos Uresti

Senator Royce West

Senator Judith Zaffirini

 

*****

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1716 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senate Bill 1716 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1658 and recognized the author, Senator Nichols, 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 bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senate Bill 1658 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 889 by Representative Delisi and recognized its Senate sponsor, Senator Nichols, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

House Bill 889 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1879 and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Williams to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senate Bill 1879 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1763 by Representative Callegari and recognized its Senate sponsor, Senator Janek, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

House Bill 1763 was left pending.

 

At 10:05 a.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 92 by Representative Branch and recognized its Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

House Bill 92 was left pending.

 

At 10:07 a.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 1937 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute.

 

At 10:08 a.m., a quorum was established.

 

The Chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Deuell sent up Committee Amendment 1.  The Chair recognized Senator Van de Putte to explain the amendment. 

 

Senate Bill 1937 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1064 by Representative Laubenberg and recognized its Senate sponsor, Senator Hegar, to explain the bill. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

House Bill 1064 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 703 and recognized the author, Senator Deuell, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute.  Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair recognized Senator Deuell to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

Senator Deuell sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the amendment.

 

Senator Deuell moved to reconsider the vote by which the committee substitute to Senate Bill 703 was adopted; without objection it was so ordered.

 

Senator Deuell moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Deuell requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Deuell moved adoption of the new committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

CSSB 703 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 415 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Deuell sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

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

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

Public testimony was temporarily suspended. 

 

CSSB 415 was left pending.

 

At 10:48 a.m., the Committee stood recessed.

 

At 2:45 p.m., the Committee reconvened.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 415, which had been previously left pending.

 

The Chair re-opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

CSSB 415 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 692 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, to explain the bill. 

 

Senator Uresti sent up a committee substitute. Senator Uresti moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair recognized Senator Uresti to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the bill as filed. 

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

CSSB 692 was left pending.

 

The Chair laid out Senate Bill 155 and recognized Senator Uresti on behalf of the author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. 

 

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

 

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

 

The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  

 

With no further witnesses wishing to testify, the Chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Uresti moved that SB 155 do not pass but that CSSB 155 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 155 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senators West and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 415, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 415 do not pass but that CSSB 415 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 415 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 692, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Uresti moved that SB 692 do not pass but that CSSB 692 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 692 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out CSSB 703, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Deuell moved that SB 703 do not pass but that CSSB 703 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 703 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1658, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

Senator Nichols moved that SB 1658 do not pass but that CSSB 1658 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nichols requested that CSSB 1658 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1716, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator West moved that SB 1716 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator West requested that SB 1716 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1879, which had been previously left pending.

 

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

 

Senator Janek moved that SB 1879 do not pass but that CSSB 1879 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1879 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 1937, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of Committee Amendment 1; without objection, the amendment was adopted. 

 

Senator Patrick requested unanimous consent to incorporate the amendment into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Patrick moved that SB 1937 do not pass but that CSSB 1937 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that CSSB 1937 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:31 p.m., Senator Deuell assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 92, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Nelson moved that HB 92 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that HB 92 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:32 p.m., Senator Nelson resumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 889, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Nichols moved that HB 889 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that HB 889 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1064, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Janek moved that HB 1064 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Nelson requested that HB 1064 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out House Bill 1763, which had been previously left pending.

 

Senator Janek moved that HB 1763 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 absent and 0 present not voting. 

 

Senator Janek requested that HB 1763 be recommended for placement on the Local and Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair announced Senator Zaffirini's request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 155, CSSB 415, CSSB 692, CSSB 703, CSSB 1658, SB 1716, CSSB 1879, CSSB 1937, HB 92, HB 889, HB 1064 and HB 1763; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West announced his request for unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSSB 155; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 3:36 p.m. the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

 

 

_____________________________

Tiffany Arrington, Clerk