MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Monday, March 14, 2011

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Room

 

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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 Government Organization was held on Monday, March 14, 2011, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

Senator Steve Ogden

Senator Glenn Hegar, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

 

Senator Jane Nelson

 

 

Senator John Whitmire

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The following members arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator John Whitmire

 

The chair laid out SB 400 at 2:01 PM and recognized the author, Senator Shapiro, 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.

 

A quorum was established at 2:07 PM.

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 400 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. Senators Lucio and Whitmire requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 400.

 

Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:07 PM the chair laid out SB 647 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.

 

Senator Whitmire moved that SB 647 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 Lucio requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on SB 647.

 

Senator Hegar moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:11 PM Senator Hegar assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 456 at 2:11 PM 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.

 

Senator Hegar moved that SB 456 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:23 PM Senator Ellis resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out SB 327 at 2:23 PM and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, 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 Ellis moved that SB 327 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 2:39 PM Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair

 

 

__________________________________________

Jessica Schleifer, Clerk