MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

8:00 AM

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 Tuesday, April 30, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

Senator José Rodríguez

Senator Charles Schwertner, Vice Chair

 

 

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Sylvia Garcia

 

 

Senator Ken Paxton

 

 

Senator Larry Taylor

 

 

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Schwertner moved that the minutes of the April 23 and April 25, 2013, hearings be approved. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out HB 2738 by Representative Gary Elkins and recognized Senator Garcia to explain the bill on behalf of Senator Ellis, the Senate sponsor. Senator Garcia sent up the committee substitute for HB 2738 and moved its adoption. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The Chair recognized Senator Garcia to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the House bill as engrossed. CSHB 2738 was left pending.

At 8:03 a.m. Senator Schwertner assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 535 by Representative Yvonne Davis and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Garcia sent up the committee substitute for HB 535 and moved its adoption. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the House bill as engrossed. CSHB 535 was left pending.

The Chair laid out HB 1994 by Representative Ron Reynolds and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator Zaffirini sent up the committee substitute for       HB 1994 and moved its adoption. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent. The Chair recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the House bill as engrossed. CSHB 1994 was left pending.

At 8:08 a.m. Senator Zaffirini re-assumed the chair.

The Chair laid out HB 1968 by Representative Joe Deshotel and recognized Senator Paxton to explain the bill on behalf of Senator Williams, the Senate sponsor. HB 1968 was left pending.

The Chair laid out anew CSHB 2738 by Representative Elkins, sponsored by Senator Ellis, and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. Senator Garcia moved that HB 2738 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, CSHB 2738 was reported favorably. Senator Garcia moved that CSHB 2738 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew CSHB 1994 by Representative Reynolds, sponsored by Senator Zaffirini, and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. Senator Paxton moved that HB 1994 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. There being 6 ayes and 0 nays, CSHB 1994 was reported favorably. Senator Paxton moved that CSHB 1994 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew CSHB 535 by Representative Davis, sponsored by Senator Zaffirini, and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. Senator Garcia moved that HB 535 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do not pass, but that the committee substitute adopted in lieu thereof do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, CSHB 535 was reported favorably. Senator Garcia moved that CSHB 535 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

The Chair laid out anew HB 1968 by Representative Deshotel, sponsored by Senator Williams, and opened public testimony. Names of witnesses who testified and registered for, against, or on the bill are on the attached list. Senator Schwertner moved that HB 1968 be reported to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. There being 5 ayes and 0 nays, HB 1968 was reported favorably. Senator Schwertner moved that HB 1968 be recommended for the Local and Uncontested Calendar. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent.

Having been present during the hearing, Senator Birdwell requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on CSHB 535, HB 1968, CSHB 1994, and CSHB 2738. The motion was adopted by unanimous consent, and his votes were included in the total vote count.

There being no further business, at 8:26 a.m., the Chair announced that the committee would stand in recess, subject to the call of the Chair.

 

 

Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair

 

 

Gonzalo Serrano, Clerk