MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Thursday, April 24, 1997
9:00 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 Thursday, April 24, 1997 in the Capitol Extension,
Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff None
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Mike Moncrief
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Jeff Wentworth
Senator Royce West
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 am. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Teel Bivins
Senator J.E. Brown
Senator David Sibley
The Chair laid out SB 844 and recognized the author, Senator
Truan, to explain the bill.
Ruth Cedillo, representing Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs, registered on the bill but did not
testify.
Senator Truan moved that SB 844 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 1 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1048 and recognized the author, Senator
Truan, to explain the bill.
Andrea J. Morgan, representing Texas Association of
Community Development Corporations, testified in favor of
the bill.
G.K. Sprinkle, representing Texas Association of
Community Development Corporations, testified in favor of
the bill.
SB 1048 was left pending.
The Chair laid out SB 102 and recognized the author, Senator
Zaffirini, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute, without
objection, it was so ordered.
James H. Duke, Jr., representing University of Texas -
Houston Medical School, testified in favor of the bill.
S. Dale Oosley, representing Himself, testified in favor
of the bill.
Troy Alexander, representing Texas Academy of Family
Physicians, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Kitty Allen, representing Hermann Hospital, registered in
favor of the bill but did not testify.
Jim Allison, representing County Judges and Commissioners
Association of Texas, registered in favor of the bill but
did not testify.
Ken Bailey, representing Texas State Association of Fire
Fighters, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Charles Bauer, representing Himself, registered in favor
of the bill but did not testify.
Ed Berger, representing Seton HealthCare Network,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Doug Carmichael, representing Texas College of Emergency
Physicians, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Mike Click, representing Brownfield Regional Medical
Center, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Jim Coles, representing Texas College of Emergency
Physicians, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Susan M. Douglass, representing University Hospital - San
Antonio, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Robert K. Feather, representing Cook Children's Medical
Center, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Alfred Gilchrist, representing Texas Medical Association,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Leticia A. Goodrich, representing Emergency Health Care
Advisory Committee, registered in favor of the bill but
did not testify.
Darwin Goodspeed, representing Greater San Antonio
Hospital Council, registered in favor of the bill but did
not testify.
John Haas, representing Greater San Antonio Hospital
Council, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
King HIllier, representing Texas Association of Public
and Non-Profit Hospitals, registered in favor of the bill
but did not testify.
John W. Holtermann, representing Texas Silver Haired
Legislators, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Jim Huff, representing Himself, registered in favor of
the bill but did not testify.
Mary R. Lacroix, representing Greater San Antonio
Hospital Council, registered in favor of the bill but did
not testify.
Donald Lee, representing Conference of Urban Counties,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Steve Montgomery, representing Harris Methodist Health
System, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Al J. Notzon, representing Alamo Area Council of
Governments, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Judge Patricia Ott, representing Justices of the Peace
and Constables Association of Texas, Inc., registered in
favor of the bill but did not testify.
Mike Pollard, representing Texas Association of Life and
Health Insurers, registered in favor of the bill but did
not testify.
Bill Rason, representing Greater San Antonio Hospital
Council, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Ronald C. Redus, representing Emergency Health Care
Advisory Committee, registered on the bill but did not
testify.
Jody R. Rogers, representing Greater San Antonio Hospital
Council, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
J.R. Schneider, representing Live Oak County EMS, Board
of Directors, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Louise Shumate, representing City of Three Rivers,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
John Sneed, representing Williamson County, registered in
favor of the bill but did not testify.
Bryan Sperry, representing Children's Hospital
Association of Texas, registered in favor of the bill but
did not testify.
Ronald M. Stewart, MD, representing Southwest Texas
Regional Advisory Council, registered in favor of the
bill but did not testify.
Helen Walker, representing County Judges and
Commissioners Association of Texas, registered in favor
of the bill but did not testify.
Dinah S. Welsh, representing Texas Hospital Association,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Carl Wengenroth, representing Live Oak County EMS,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Gene Weatherall, representing Texas Department of Health,
registered on the bill but did not testify.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 102 do not pass but that CSSB
102 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1407 and recognized the author, Senator
Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.
Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the bill as filed.
Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute,
without objection, it was so ordered.
Doug Dashiell, representing Coastal Oil & Gas
Corporation, testified in favor of the bill.
Lisa Gourley, representing West Park Petroleum, Inc. And
Herself, testified in favor of the bill.
Carl A. Parker, representing Coastal Corporation,
testified in favor of the bill.
Don C. Nelson, representing Coastal Oil and Gas
Corporation, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Bob Stout, representing Mitchell Energy & Development
Corporation, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Thomas M. Weber, representing McElney, Sullivan, Ryan &
Miller, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1407 do not pass but that
CSSB 1407 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, 2 present not voting,
and 0 absent. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar,
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1183 and recognized the author, Senator
Brown, to explain the bill.
Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference
between the committee substitute and the bill as filed.
Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute,
without objection, it was so ordered.
Chris Newton, representing Texas Petroleum Marketers &
Convenience Store Association, testified in favor of the
bill.
Mona Shoemate, representing Comptroller of Public
Accounts, testified on the bill.
Senator Brown moved that SB 1183 do not pass but that CSSB
1183 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Brown moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1863 and recognized the author, Senator
Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.
Dane Harris, representing Texas Association of Business &
Chambers of Commerce, testified in favor of the bill.
Dan Morales, representing Texas Office of the Attorney
General, testified on the bill.
Paul W. Nye, representing Retired Appeals Court Chief Justice,
testified in favor of the bill.
David Pinkus, representing Small Business United of Texas,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Peggy M. Venable, representing Texas Citizens for a Sound
Economy, registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Jim Wyatt, representing Texas Association of African Chambers,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
SB 1863 was left pending at the author's request.
The Chair laid out SB 1880 and recognized the author, Senator
Barrientos, to explain the bill.
Gary Offineer, representing Texas Veterans Foundation,
testified in favor of the bill.
Dan Wilson, representing Texas Comptroller of Public
Accounts, testified on the bill.
James S. Duncan, representing Korean War Veterans
Association, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Alexander Vernon, representing Veterans of Foreign Wars,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
William W. McLemore, representing Texas Association of
County Veterans Service Officers, registered in favor of
the bill but did not testify.
Senator Bivins moved that SB 1880 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1299 and recognized the author, Senator
Ellis, to explain the bill.
Senator Barrientos sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Barrientos moved adoption of the committee substitute, without
objection, it was so ordered.
Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,
testified on the bill.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1299 do not pass but that CSSB
1299 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1470 and recognized the author, Senator
Ellis, to explain the bill.
Senator Truan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Ellis 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.
Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,
testified on the bill.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1470 do not pass but that CSSB
1470 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1416 and recognized the author, Senator
Ellis, to explain the bill.
Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Zaffirini
moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,
it was so ordered. Senator Brown sent up Committee Amendment
1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was
adopted. Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to
incorporate amendments into the committee substitute.
No witnesses appeared for, against, or on CSSB 1416.
Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1416 do not pass but that CSSB
1416 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1871 and recognized the author, Senator
Duncan, to explain the bill.
Richard Gonzales, representing Austin Interfaith -
Alliance School, testified in favor of the bill.
Mary Lou Hoffman, representing Dallas Area Interfaith,
testified in favor of the bill.
Cedric Johnson, representing The Metropolitan
Organization/Alliance Schools, testified in favor of the
bill.
Kathleen Burke, representing Texas Education Agency,
registered on the bill but did not testify.
Peter O. Kircher, representing Alliance Schools,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Regina Rogoff, representing Austin Interfaith, registered
in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Ingrid L. Williams, representing Alliance Schools,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Senator Truan moved that SB 1871 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 1 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 HB 8 and recognized Senator Truan to
explain the bill, in the Senate sponsor's absence.
Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,
testified on the bill.
Senator Truan moved that HB 8 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, 1
present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out HB 9 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill. Senator Barrientos
sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without
objection, the amendment was adopted.
Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,
testified on the bill.
Senator Barrientos moved that HB 9, 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 13 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out HJR 8 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill.
Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,
testified on the bill.
Senator Truan moved that HJR 8 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, 1
present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out HB 527 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.
Judge Al Cornelius, representing Ellis County, testified
in favor of the bill.
Senator Nelson moved that HB 527 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, 1
present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Nelson moved that
the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &
Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1534 and recognized the author, Senator
Barrientos, to explain the bill.
M. Colleen McHugh, representing State Bar of Texas,
testified in favor of the bill.
Antonio Alvarado, representing State Bar of Texas,
registered on the bill but did not testify.
Pamela Brown, representing Lone Star Justice Fund,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Randall Chapman, representing Legal Hotline for Older
Texans, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Jim Comstock-Galagan, representing Advocacy, Inc.,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Bonnie S.Y. Escobar, representing El Paso Community
Legislative Agenda, testified in favor of the bill.
Lynne Liberato, representing Herself, registered in favor
of the bill but did not testify.
Julie Oliver, representing Texas Lawyers Care, registered
in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Regina Rogoff, representing Legal Aid of Central Texas,
registered in favor of the bill but did not testify.
Christina Schneider, representing Texas Council on Family
Violence, registered in favor of the bill but did not
testify.
Elizabeth Whitaker, representing Herself, registered in
favor of the bill but did not testify.
Senator Barrientos moved that SB 1534 be reported favorably to
the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 1 nay, 0
present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 1375 and recognized Senator Nelson, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator
Nelson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption;
without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Dan Wilson, representing Comptroller of Public Accounts,
testified on the bill.
Senator Nelson moved that SB 1375, 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 13 ayes, 0
nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out the Subcommittee Report on Lottery Revenue
Dedications and recognized Senator Bivins to explain the
report. Senator Bivins explained that the subcommittee
considered in a public hearing SB 76, SB 105, and SB 180 on
April 15, 1997. Two additional bills (SB 1093 and SB 1489)
were posted, but no action was taken. Public testimony was
heard on SB 76 and the bill was left pending. Public
testimony was heard on SB 105; and Senator Nelson moved to
refer SB 105, as amended, back to the full Committee with the
recommendation that it be reported back to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion
carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,
and 1 absent. Public testimony was heard on SB 180 and the
bill was left pending. The subcommittee report was accepted
by the Committee.
James Rinn, representing Texas Lottery Commission,
testified on SB 105.
Senator Nelson moved to remove the amendment to SB 105 which
had been adopted by the subcommittee. Senator Truan offered
an alternative motion to table Senator Nelson's motion. The
motion to table carried with 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 2 absent. Senator Nelson moved that SB 105 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, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
The Chair referred SB 815, SB 1510, and SB 1056 to the
Subcommittee on Tuition Exemptions for further consideration.
The Chair laid out SB 1808 and recognized Senator Truan, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Truan
sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without
objection, the amendment was adopted.
Scott Ryan Gregory, representing Himself, testified in
favor of the bill.
Richard W. Lariviere, representing The University ot
Texas at Austin, testified on the bill.
Dr. William Dorland, representing Himself, registered in
favor of the bill but did not testify.
Senator Truan moved that SB 1808, 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, 2 nays, 1
present not voting, and 0 absent.
The Chair laid out CSSB 126, left pending during a previous
hearing, and recognized the author, Senator Bivins, to explain
the bill. Senator Bivins moved that SB 126 do not pass but
that CSSB 126 be reported back to the Senate with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion
carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting,
and 0 absent. Senator Bivins moved that the bill be
recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar,
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1321 and recognized Senator Truan, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill. Senator Truan
sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator
Truan 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.
Sharon W. Cobb, representing Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, registered on the bill but did not
testify.
Senator Truan moved that SB 1321 do not pass but that CSSB
1321 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Truan moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was
so ordered.
At 7:24 pm Senator Truan assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out HB 634 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Ratliff, to explain the bill.
No witnesses appeared for, against, or on HB 634.
Senator Ratliff moved that HB 634 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 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.
The Chair laid out SB 1906 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
Senator Ratliff sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Ratliff to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Ratliff moved adoption of the committee substitute, without
objection, it was so ordered.
Tobin K. Harvey, representing Commission's State Energy
Conservation Office, registered on the bill but did not
testify.
Karen Raven, representing State Energy Conservation
Office - General Services Commission, registered on the
bill but did not testify.
Senator Ratliff moved that SB 1906 do not pass but that CSSB
1906 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 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.
There being no further business, at 7:30 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