MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Interim Subcommittee on Article III Agencies Wednesday, March 25, 1998 9:00 a.m. Capitol Extension, Room E1.036 ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Interim Finance Subcommittee on Article III Agencies was held on Wednesday, March 25, 1998 in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Mike Moncrief, Chair Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator J.E. Brown ***** Chairman Moncrief called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. The following business was transacted. The following members arrived after the roll was called: None. The Chair recognized Andrea Claire, of the State Auditor's Office, to provide a briefing on agency responses to the performance measures survey requested by Senator Ratliff and Representative Junell. The Chair called on representatives from Article III agencies to provide testimony and answer questions of the committee regarding interim charges. (All agencies submitted written comments prior to the hearing date.) Witnesses appeared as follows: Mike Moses, representing the Texas Education Agency, provided oral and written testimony. Bill Monroe, representing the Texas Education Agency, provided oral testimony. Joe Wisnoski, representing the Texas Education Agency, provided oral testimony. Mark Littleton, representing the State Board for Educator Certification, provided oral testimony. Dan Junell, representing the State Board for Educator Certification, provided oral testimony. Barry Alaimo, representing the State Board for Educator Certification, registered as a resource witness, but did not testify. Phil Hatlen, representing the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, provided oral testimony. Barney Schulz, representing the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, provided oral testimony. Kenneth Miller, representing the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, registered as a resource witness, but did not testify. Susan Houghtling, Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, registered as a resource witness, but did not testify. Claire Bugen, representing the Texas School for the Deaf, provided oral and written testimony. Jim Smith, representing the Texas School for the Deaf, provided oral testimony. Arnold Viramontes, representing the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board, provided oral testimony. Gwen Stafford, representing the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board, provided oral testimony. Rhonda Hill, representing the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board, provided oral testimony. Charles Dunlap, representing the Teacher Retirement System, provided oral and written testimony. Ronnie Jung, representing the Teacher Retirement System, registered as a resource witness, but did not testify. Edward Hiler, representing the Texas A&M University System and agencies of the agriculture program, provided oral testimony. John Beverly, representing the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, provided oral testimony. Chester P. Fehlis, representing the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, provided oral testimony. Gary Nunley, representing the Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service (formerly the Animal Damage Control Service), provided oral testimony. James B. Hull, representing the Texas Forest Service, provided oral testimony. Tom Boggus, representing the Texas Forest Service, registered as a resource witness, but did not testify. Konrad Eugster, representing the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, provided oral testimony. C. Roland Haden, representing the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, provided oral testimony. Carol J. Cantrell, representing the Texas Engineering Experiment Station, registered as a resource witness, but did not testify. G. Kemble Bennett, representing the Texas Engineering Extension Service, provided oral testimony. Arturo Alonzo, representing the Texas Engineering Extension Service, provided oral testimony. Don Bugh, representing the Texas Transportation Institute, provided oral testimony. Robert V. Avant, Jr., representing the Texas Food and Fibers Commission, provided oral and written testimony. The Chair asked if there was anyone present who wished to testify on any of the Article III agencies. There was no one present who wished to provide public testimony. There being no further business, at 12:05 p.m., Senator Moncrief announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. _________________________ Senator Mike Moncrief, Chair _________________________ Patricia Hicks, Clerk