MINUTES 
                                           
                  SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS 
                             Tuesday, February 8, 2000 
                                     9:00 a.m. 
                           University of Houston-Downtown 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on  
         Intergovernmental Relations was held on Tuesday, February 8,  
         2000, in the University of Houston-Downtown 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Frank Madla                     Senator Rodney Ellis 
         Senator Jon Lindsay 
         Senator Mike Moncrief 
         Senator Drew Nixon 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The chair announced that the committee has been given a charge  
         by the Lieutenant Governor to: 
          
         "Examine the powers, functions and programs administered by the  
         Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) and  
         the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). The  
         committee's report will assess the methodology used in  
         allocating the various housing funds and resources, including  
         the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and the Housing Trust  
         Fund, and the compliance by the agency with that methodology,  
         and address whether the programs administered by TDHCA and the  
         TSAHC meet the affordable housing demands of targeted population  
         groups throughout the State of Texas."  
          
         The chair laid out charge one: 
          
         "Evaluate the potential benefits offered through the  
         "design-build" form of bidding, which allows engineers,  
         architects, and builders to form teams and bid on state projects  
         in contrast to the current method which mandates that each  
         entity bid separately.   The Committee shall compare the State  
         of Texas practices to other states and to the private sector and  
         evaluate the "design-build" option as it relates to buildings,  
         roads, and other publicly funded projects." 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on charge one are shown on  
  
         the attached list.   
          
         The chair laid out charge two: 
          
         "Study the funding and expenditures of Councils of Government  
         (COGs) and examine the changing relationship between COGs and  
         the state and federal governments since 1982.  The Committee  
         shall monitor the compliance by COGS regarding publication of  
         financial statements, as referenced in the General  
         Appropriations Bill, HB 1, 76th Legislature, Regular Session." 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on charge two are shown on  
         the attached list.        
          
         Mr. Jerry Wood, representing City of Houston, testified on  
         charge four. 
          
         At 12:35 p.m. Senator Madla moved that the committee stand  
         recessed subject to the call of the chair; without objection, it  
         was so ordered.   
          
         _______________________ 
         Senator Frank Madla, Chair 
          
         _______________________ 
         Hillery Stephens, Clerk