MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Monday, April 7, 1997
9:30 am
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was
held on Monday, April 7, 1997 in the Capitol Extension, Room
E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff None
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Teel Bivins
Senator J.E. Brown
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Mike Moncrief
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator David Sibley
Senator Jeff Wentworth
Senator Royce West
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:30 am. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
none.
The Chair laid out SJR 33 and recognized the author, Senator
Moncrief, to explain the bill.
Senator Moncrief sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Moncrief to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Moncrief moved adoption of the committee substitute, without
objection, it was so ordered.
Pat Cole, representing Texas Council on Family Violence,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Laurel E. Kelly, representing Crime Victims'
Compensation, registered on the bill but did not testify.
Ray Speece, representing Self, registered in favor of the
bill but did not testify.
Vincent Torres, representing Self, registered in favor of
the bill but did not testify.
Senator Moncrief moved that SJR 33 do not pass but that CSSJR
33 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that
it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of
11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senators Brown and Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be
shown voting aye on the previous motion; without objection,
the final vote was 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and
0 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 987 and recognized the author, Senator
Moncrief, to explain the bill.
Senator Moncrief sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Moncrief to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Moncrief moved adoption of the committee substitute, without
objection, it was so ordered.
Laurel E. Kelly, representing Crime Victims' Compensation
Program, testified on the bill.
Amy Wong Mok, representing Texas Association Against
Sexual Assault, testified in favor of the bill.
Pat Cole, representing Texas Council on Family Violence,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Chandler B. Gray, representing Texas CASA, Inc.,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Jane Q. Piper, representing Texas CASA, registered in
favor of the bill but did not testify.
Ray Speece, representing Self, registered in favor of the
bill but did not testify.
Vincent Torres, representing Self, registered in favor of
the bill but did not testify.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 987 do not pass but that CSSB
987 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senators Brown and Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be
shown voting aye on the previous motion; without objection,
the final vote was 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and
0 absent.
At 10:00 am Senator Truan assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out pending bill, SB 964, and recognized the
author, Senator Ratliff, to make a motion. Senator Ratliff
moved that SB 964 be reported favorably to the full Senate
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
motion carried with a vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 2 absent. Senators Brown and Wentworth requested
unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the previous
motion; without objection, the final vote was 13 ayes, 0 nays,
0 present not voting, and 0 absent. Senator Ratliff moved
that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so ordered.
At 10:05 am Senator Ratliff resumed the chair.
The Chair referred SB 565 to the Subcommittee on Tuition
Exemptions for further consideration. (Members of the
subcommittee will be named at a later time.)
The Chair referred SB 1489 to the Subcommittee on Lottery
Revenue Dedication for further consideration. The Chair,
during the March 24, 1997 committee hearing, appointed Senator
Bivins as Chair of the subcommittee and Senators Lucio, Jr.,
Moncrief, Nelson, and Wentworth as members of the
subcommittee.
At 10:08 am Senator Truan assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 1424 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
Ray Bonilla, representing Comptroller's Office, testified
on the bill.
Jon Fisher, representing Texas Chemical Council,
testified in opposition to the bill.
Senator Ratliff moved that SB 1424 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 4 absent. Senators Barrientos and
Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye
on the previous motion; without objection, the final vote was
11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
At 10:10 am Senator Ratliff resumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 184 and recognized the author, Senator
Shapiro, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Clifton Burdette, representing Texas Department of Public
Safety, testified on the bill.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 184, as amended, be reported
back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and
be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 10 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senators Barrientos
and Brown requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye
on the previous motion, without objection, the final vote was
12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The Chair laid out pending bill, CSSB 606, and recognized the
author, Senator Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.
Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Armbrister requested unanimous consent to incorporate
the amendment into the committee substitute. Senator
Armbrister then moved that the new committee substitute be
adopted. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 606 do not pass but
that CSSB 606 be reported back to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion
carried with a vote of 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,
and 3 absent. Senators Barrientos, Brown, and Wentworth
requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the
previous motion; without objection, the final vote was 13
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 576 and recognized the author, Senator
Sibley, to explain the bill.
Senator Sibley sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Sibley to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Sibley moved adoption of the committee substitute, without
objection, it was so ordered.
Jim Howell, representing Comptroller's Office, registered
on the bill but did not testify.
Eleanor Roe, representing Comptroller's Office,
registered on the bill but did not testify.
Senator Sibley moved that SB 576 do not pass but that CSSB 576
be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 8
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent. Senators
Truan, Armbrister, Brown, Moncrief, and West requested
unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the previous
motion; without objection, the final vote was 13 ayes, 0 nays,
0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Committee recessed at 10:50 pm until 30 minutes upon
adjournment of the Senate.
The Committee reconvened at 1:35 pm.
The Chair laid out SB 807 and recognized the author, Senator
Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.
Al Johnson, representing City of Richardson, testified in
favor of the bill.
Andrew Sansom, representing Texas Parks and Wildlife,
testified on the bill.
Douglas Cochran, representing City of Victoria,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Marco A. Cisneros, representing City of Bryan, registered
in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Kenneth L. Conway, representing Cameron County Park
System, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Douglas M. Evans, representing City of Grapevine,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Mark Hansen, representing Brazoria County Parks
Department, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Scott Johnson, representing City of Baytown, registered
in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Larry Pressler, representing Texas Recreation and Park
Society - City of McAllen, registered in favor of the
bill but did not testify.
Sharon Prete, representing City of Round Rock of Texas
Recreation and Park Society, registered in favor of the
bill but did not testify.
Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 807 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 4 absent. Senators Truan, Armbrister,
Moncrief, and West requested unanimous consent to be shown
voting aye on the previous motion; without objection, the
final vote was 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0
absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1778 and recognized the author, Senator
Shapleigh, to explain the bill. Senator Truan sent up a
committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Shapleigh
to explain the difference between the committee substitute and
the bill as filed. Senator Truan moved adoption of the
committee substitute, without objection, it was so ordered.
Dean V. Ferguson, representing Comptroller's Office,
testified on the bill.
Richard Lavine, representing Center for Public Policy
Priorities, testified in favor of the bill.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 1778 do not pass but that CSSB
1778 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.
Senators Armbrister, Barrientos, and Wentworth requested
unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the previous
motion; without objection, the final vote was 11 ayes, 1 nay,
0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1779 and recognized the author, Senator
Shapleigh, to explain the bill.
Senator Truan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Shapleigh to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Truan
moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,
it was so ordered.
Dean V. Ferguson, representing Comptroller's Office,
testified on the bill.
Richard Lavine, representing Center for Public Policy
Priorities, testified in favor of the bill.
Senator Truan moved that SB 1779 do not pass but that CSSB
1779 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 8 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent.
Senators Armbrister, Barrientos, and Wentworth requested
unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the previous
motion; without objection, the final vote was 11 ayes, 1 nay,
0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1078 and recognized the author, Senator
Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.
C. James Kruse, representing Brownsville Navigation
District, testified in favor of the bill.
Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1078 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1033 and recognized Senator
Moncrief, in the absence of the author, to explain the
bill.
Breck Bostwick, representing Texas Association of
Property Tax Professionals, testified in favor of the
bill.
Mike Sanders, representing Texas Tech University and
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, testified
on the bill.
Senator Moncrief moved that SB 1033 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 5 absent. Senators Barrientos, Brown,
and Sibley requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye
on the previous motion; without objection, the final vote was
11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 2 absent. Senator
Moncrief moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so
ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1038 and recognized Senator West, in the
absence of the author, to explain the bill.
Senator West moved that SB 1038 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 5 absent. Senators Brown, Sibley,
Wentworth, and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be
shown voting aye on the previous motion; without objection,
the final vote was 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and
1 absent. Senator West moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1502 and recognized Senator West, in the
absence of the author, to explain the bill.
Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator West
moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,
it was so ordered.
Judith Rhedin, representing Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs (TDHCA), registered on the bill but
did not testify.
Brent Stewart, representing TDHCA, registered on the bill
but did not testify.
Senator West moved that SB 1502 do not pass but that CSSB 1502
be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 8
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent. Senators
Sibley and Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be shown
voting aye on the previous motion; without objection, the
final vote was 10 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3
absent. Senator Truan moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 781 and recognized Senator West to
explain the bill. Senator West sent up a committee
substitute; the Chair recognized Senator West to explain the
difference between the committee substitute and the bill as
filed. Senator West moved adoption of the committee
substitute, without objection, it was so ordered.
Luis Macias, representing Texas Workforce Commission,
testified on the bill.
Claudia Nadig, representing Texas Workers' Compensation
Commission, testified on the bill.
Cindy Alexander, representing Comptroller's Office,
registered on the bill but did not testify.
Emmett Coleman, representing Comptroller's Office,
registered on the bill but did not testify.
Boyd Graves, representing Department of Human Services,
registered on the bill but did not testify.
Sandy Kibby, representing Texas PTA, registered in favor
of the bill but did not testify.
Senator West moved that SB 781 do not pass but that CSSB 781
be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 6 absent. Senators
Barrientos, Brown, Sibley, and Zaffirini requested unanimous
consent to be shown voting aye on the previous motion; without
objection, the final vote was 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 2 absent. Senator Moncrief moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar,
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out the Subcommittee Report on Emoluments and
Salaries and recognized Senator Barrientos to explain the
recommendations made by the subcommittee. Senator Ratliff
moved to leave the subcommittee report pending in order to
give members adequate time to review all recommendations;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1266 and recognized the author, Senator
Armbrister, to explain the bill. Senator Armbrister sent up
Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection,
the amendment was adopted.
Jim Howell, representing Comptroller's Office, testified
on the bill.
Senator Armbrister moved that SB 1266, as amended, be reported
back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and
be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays,
0 present not voting, and 5 absent. Senators Bivins, Sibley,
and West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on
the previous motion; without objection, the final vote was 11
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1485 and recognized the author, Senator
Bivins, to explain the bill.
Senator Bivins sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Bivins to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Bivins sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption;
without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Bivins
sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without
objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Bivins
requested unanimous consent to incorporate amendments into the
committee substitute. Senator Bivins then moved that the new
committee substitute be adopted.
Don Brown, representing Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, testified on the bill.
Mani Rao, representing Comptroller's Office, testified on
the bill.
Senator Bivins moved that SB 1485 do not pass but that CSSB
1485 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent.
Senators Lucio, Jr., Sibley, and West requested unanimous
consent to be shown voting aye on the previous motion; without
objection, the final vote was 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 2 absent. Senator Bivins moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar,
without objection, it was so ordered.
At 4:10 pm Senator Truan assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 1422 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
Don Brown, representing Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, registered on the bill but did not
testify.
Roger W. Elliott, representing Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, registered on the bill but did not
testify.
Senator Ratliff moved that SB 1422 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 6 absent. Senators Bivins, Moncrief,
Sibley, and West requested unanimous consent to be shown
voting aye on the previous motion; without objection, the
final vote was 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2
absent. Senator Ratliff moved that the bill be recommended
for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1453 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
Jim Beck, representing Secretary of State's Office,
testified on the bill.
Senator Ratliff moved that SB 1453 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 6 absent. Senators Bivins, Brown,
Moncrief, and West requested unanimous consent to be shown
voting aye on the previous motion; without objection, the
final vote was 11 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2
absent. Senator Ratliff moved that the bill be recommended
for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1681 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
There were no witnesses for, against, or on SB 1681.
Senator Ratliff moved that SB 1681 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 5 absent. Senators Bivins, Moncrief,
and West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on
the previous motion; without objection, the final vote was 11
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent. Senator
Ratliff moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so
ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1838 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
Carmen Flores, representing Secretary of State's Office,
testified on the bill.
Senator Ratliff moved that SB 1838 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 6 absent. Senators Bivins, Sibley,
and West requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on
the previous motion; without objection, the final vote was 10
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent. Senator
Ratliff moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so
ordered.
At 4:25 pm Senator Ratliff resumed the chair.
The Chair named the members of the Subcommittee on Tuition
Exemption as following: Senator Wentworth, Chair; and
Senators Moncrief, Truan, Nelson and Sibley, members.
There being no further business, at 4:35 pm Senator Ratliff
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Bill Ratliff, Chair
______________________
Patricia Hicks, Clerk