MINUTES
         
                        SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL
                          RELATIONS, TRADE & TECHNOLOGY
                          Wednesday, February 19, 1997
                                     1:00 pm
                          Lt. Governor's Committee Room
                                 Public Hearing
                                      *****
         
         
         
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on 
         International Relations, Trade & Technology was held on 
         Wednesday, February 19, 1997 in Lt. Governor's Committee Room, 
         at Austin, Texas.  
         
                                      *****
         
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT:
              Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman       None
              Senator John Carona, Vice-Chairman
              Senator Kenneth Armbrister
              Senator Teel Bivins
              Senator Jon Lindsay
              Senator Steve Ogden
              Senator Bill Ratliff
              Senator Eliot Shapleigh
              Senator David Sibley
         
                                      *****
         
         Chairman Truan called the public hearing to order at 1:30 p.m.  
         There being a quorum present, the following business was 
         transacted.  
         
         The Chair laid out SB 294 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 
         Senator David Sibley, to explain the bill.  Witnesses 
         testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the 
         attached list.  A discussion followed.  Senator Sibley moved 
         that SB 294 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 0 absent.  Senator Sibley requested unanimous consent to 
         certify the bill for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without 
         objection, it was so ordered.  
         
         Chairman Truan introduced Brenda Arnett, Executive Director of 
         the Texas Department of Commerce, to brief the Committee on 
         the status of the Texas Department of Commerce's Texas-Mexico 
         office in Mexico City and on the International Trade 
         Commission Advisory Board.  Other witnesses testifying and 
         registering on the subject are shown on the attached list.
         A discussion followed.
 
         





         
         A briefing on the Texas Mexico Authority Advisory Board 
         followed.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the subject 
         are shown on the attached list.  A discussion followed.
         
         There being no further business, Senator Ratliff moved at 2:10 
         P.M. that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of 
         the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  
         
         
         
         
         ______________________                       
         Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chair
         
         ______________________