MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Friday, May 19, 2017

10:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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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 Finance was held on Friday, May 19, 2017, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

Senator Joan Huffman

Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair

 

Senator Charles Schwertner

Senator Paul Bettencourt

 

Senator John Whitmire

Senator Brian Birdwell

 

 

Senator Kelly Hancock

 

 

Senator Lois Kolkhorst

 

 

Senator Robert Nichols

 

 

Senator Kel Seliger

 

 

Senator Larry Taylor

 

 

Senator Carlos Uresti

 

 

Senator Kirk Watson

 

 

Senator Royce West

 

 

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:10 AM. The following business was transacted:

 

Senator Nelson made a motion to change the date on the witness cards for bills that were not taken up on yesterday’s agenda  to reflect the date of  today’s hearing. There being no objection, it was so ordered.

 

The chair laid out HB 855 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Van Taylor, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Uresti sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Taylor to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 

 

Senator Nichols sent up Committee Amendment 1.

 

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 bill was left pending.

 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 28 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute.  The chair recognized Senator Nelson to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the house bill as engrossed. 

 

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 bill was left pending.

 

Senator Nelson resumed the chair.

 

The chair laid out HB 2790 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Miles, 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 bill was temporarily left pending.

 

The chair laid out HB 423 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Birdwell, 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 bill was left pending.

 

Senator Nelson moved adoption of the committee substitute for HB 855; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 855 do not pass but that CSHB 855 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  There being 6 ayes, 3 nays, 0 present not voting, and 6 absent, the motion failed to receive an affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the Committee.

 

The bill was left pending.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 1492.

 

Senator West moved that HB 1492 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Nelson recommended that HB 1472 be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 2182.

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 2182 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Nelson recommended that HB 2182 be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3045.

 

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 3045 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Nelson recommended that HB 3045 be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3046.

 

Senator Nichols moved that HB 3046 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3103.

 

Senator Birdwell moved that HB 3103 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Nelson recommended that HB 3103 be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3765.

 

Senator Hinojosa moved that HB 3765 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Nelson recommended that HB 3765 be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3992.

 

Senator Kolkhorst moved that HB 3992 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Nelson recommended that HB 3992 be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

 

Senator West moved that HB 2790 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Nelson recommended that HB 2790 be placed on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.

 

The chair laid out as a matter of pending business HB 3198.

 

Senator Hancock moved that HB 3198 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.

 

Senator Bettencourt submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1492, HB 2182, HB 3045, HB 3103, HB 3765, HB 3992, HB 2790 and HB 3198.  He asked to be shown voting nay on HB 3046.

 

Senator Hancock submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1492, HB 2182, HB 3045, HB 3046 and HB 3103.

 

Senator Taylor submitted a motion in writing asking to be shown voting aye on HB 1492.

 

There being no further business, at 10:59 AM Senator Nelson moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

 

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk

 

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