MINUTES
SENATE INTERIM COMMITTEE ON NORTH AMERICAN
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
Wednesday, April 15, 1998
9:00 a.m.
114 W. Commerce, City Council Chambers
San Antonio, Texas
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Interim Committee on
North American Free Trade Agreement was held on Wednesday,
April 15, 1998 at 114 W. Commerce, City Council Chambers, in
San Antonio, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Carlos F. Truan, Chairman None
Senator John Carona
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
Chairman Truan called the joint public meeting of the Senate
NAFTA Committee and the House Economic Development Committee
to order at 9:01 a.m. There being a quorum present, the
following business was transacted.
Chairman Truan offered welcoming remarks, followed by House
Chairman Ren Oliveira. Welcoming remarks were then made by:
Representative Van de Putte, Representative Siebert; San
Antonio Mayor Howard Peak; San Antonio City Councilman Roger
Flores II; Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo; and
Mexican Consul Carlos Sada.
Chairman Truan made a motion to approve the Senate NAFTA
Committee minutes from the February 10, 1998 hearing; Senator
Carona seconded the motion. Without objection, the minutes
were adopted.
The Chair recognized Nelson Wolff, representing the Greater
San Antonio Chamber of Commerce for testimony concerning the
impact of NAFTA on San Antonio. A discussion followed. The
Chair then recognized Ms. Marianne Bourque of the West San
Antonio Chamber of Commerce for a presentation to the
Committee.
House Chairman Oliveira then recognized Mr. Paul Roberson,
Executive Director of the Greater Kelly Development
Corporation, for testimony concerning base closures and
realignment. A discussion followed.
The Chair then recognized Mr. Bill Avila for a discussion on
international interlocal agreements. A discussion followed.
Mr. Jose Martinez of the Free Trade Alliance was recognized
for testimony concerning cross-border trucking provisions. A
discussion followed. Chairman Truan then recognized Mr. Remo
Mancini of the Canadian Transit Company for testimony
regarding border-crossing technologies. A discussion
followed. At 12:40 pm, the Committees recessed for lunch
until 1:30 pm. Chairman Truan called the joint hearing back
to order at 1:51 p.m. and House Chairman Oliveira recognized
Mr. Robert Ehinger for testimony on the International Trade
Data System (ITDS). A discussion followed.
House Chairman Oliveira then recognized Mr. Robert McKinley,
with the University of Texas-San Antonio Small Business
Development Center, for a summary of the small business
roundtable meeting held the previous day in San Antonio and
the recommendations that were presented at that meeting. A
discussion followed.
House Chairman Oliveira recognized Dr. Jim Giermanski, with
Texas A&M International, for his testimony regarding
border-crossing technologies. A discussion followed. The
Committees then received testimony from Mr. Carlos Lopez, with
the Texas Department of Transportation, regarding
border-crossing technologies. A discussion followed.
The Chair then recognized Mr. Fernando Mejia and Ms. Patricia
Perez for their testimony on the problems faced by customs
brokers under NAFTA. A discussion followed.
House Chairman Oliveira next recognized Mr. Victor Miramontes
with the North American Development Bank (NADBank) for
testimony concerning the status of recent projects along the
Texas-Mexico border. A discussion followed.
Mr. Frank Herrera, member of the Advisory Committee to the
Community Adjustment and Investment Program (CAIP) addressed
the Committees on the role of the CAIP and efforts that are
underway to assist communities in need. A discussion
followed.
Mr. Peter Silva with the Border Environmental Cooperation
Commission (BECC) was then recognized to address the
Committees regarding the status of recent applications for
assistance and the role generally of the BECC in developing
infrastructure along the U.S.-Mexico border. A discussion
followed.
Chairman Truan then recognized Mr. John Palmer and Ms. Sandra
Garza Spector to testify in opposition to the impact of NAFTA
on the labor markets in Texas. A discussion followed.
The Committees then received testimony from Mr. T.G.
Liljenwall regarding the Freeport Business Center, and NAFTA's
impact on the local community. A discussion followed.
There being no further business, at 5:19 p.m. House Chairman
Oliveira and Senator Shapleigh moved that the Committees be
adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Carlos F. Truan, Chairman
______________________
Carla D. Buckner, Clerk