MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

3:50 p.m. or upon adjournment

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to suspension of Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator John Carona

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

Senator Chris Harris

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out HB 3922 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  There being no witnesses testifying or registering on the bill, the chair closed public testimony.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 3922 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3552 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Gallegos, Jr., to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  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.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 3552 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3634 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr., in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  There being no witnesses testifying or registering on the bill, the chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 3634 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 3625 and recognized Senator Lucio, Jr., in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill.  The chair opened public testimony.  There being no witnesses testifying or registering on the bill, the chair moved that public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 3625 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out HB 4545 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.  Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair opened public testimony.  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 Duncan moved that HB 4545 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Lucio, Jr. assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HB 1259 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair opened public testimony.  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 the committee stand at ease; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out HJR 14 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed.  The chair opened pubic testimony.  Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The chair moved that the public testimony be left open; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Deuell moved that HJR 14 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

Upon arrival the clerk called the roll, and the following business was transacted.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1259.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that HB 1259 do not pass but that CSHB 1259 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3625.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 3625 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. 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 3634.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that HB 3634 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. 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 4545.  Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the chair moved adoption of the committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered.   Senator Deuell moved that HB 4545 do not pass but that CSHB 4545 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 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

Senator Van de Putte moved to be shown voting Aye on the following bills: HB 1259, HB 3625, HB 3634, HB 4545; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 5:15 p.m. Senator Duncan 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 Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Erin Fry, Clerk