MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment

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 Criminal Justice was held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator John Whitmire

Senator John Carona

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Juan Hinojosa

Senator Dan Patrick

 

Senator Kel Seliger

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The chair laid out SB 707 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.  Senator Whitmire sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Whitmire 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 707 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 708 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, 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 708 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.         

 

The chair laid out SB 709 and recognized the author, Senator Nelson, 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 709 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out SB 1278 and recognized the author, Senator Huffman, 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 1278 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The roll was called and a quorum was established at 6:20 p.m.

 

The chair laid out SB 843 and recognized the author, Senator Uresti, 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.  Senator Carona moved that SB 843 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 SB 257 and recognized the author, Senator Estes, to explain the bill.  Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Estes to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hinojosa 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.  Senator Patrick moved that SB 257 do not pass but that CSSB 257 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Patrick moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.    

 

The chair laid out SB 838 and recognized the author, Senator Hinojosa, to explain the bill.  Senator Hinojosa sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hinojosa 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 838 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.      

 

The chair laid out SB 777 and recognized the author, Senator Ogden, to explain the bill.  Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Ogden to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Ellis 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.  Senator Ellis moved that SB 777 do not pass but that CSSB 777 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, 0 nayss, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.       

 

The chair laid out SB 566 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 566 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out SB 595 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 595 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 729 and recognized the author, Senator Hegar, 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 729 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.     

 

The chair laid out SB 269 and recognized Senator Carona, in the absence of the author, 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 269 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.  

 

At 7:15 p.m. Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 808 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, 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 808 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

The chair laid out SB 809 and recognized the author, Senator Whitmire, 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 809 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.     

 

At 7:20 p.m. Senator Whitmire resumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SJR 11 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the absence of the author, 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 11 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 1091 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.  Senator Ellis 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 1091 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 7:25 p.m. Senator Whitmire 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 Whitmire, Chair

 

 

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Vanessa Valdez, Clerk