MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Monday, January 25, 1999 2:00 p.m. 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 Monday, January 25, 1999 in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Bill Ratliff None Senator Carlos Truan Senator Gonzalo Barrientos Senator John Carona Senator Robert Duncan Senator Troy Fraser Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Jon Lindsay Senator Mike Moncrief Senator Steve Ogden Senator Royce West ***** Chairman Ratliff called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted. The following members arrived after the roll was called: none. The Chair gave introductory remarks and welcomed new members to the Senate Finance Committee. The Chair introduced Committee staff and recognized John Keel to introduce Legislative Budget Board staff. The Chair briefed members on procedural matters including the schedules for budget hearings and bill hearings. The intent of the Chair is to hold budget hearings Monday through Thursday each week beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Committee will meet throughout the day except when the Senate is in session. Regular bill hearings will be scheduled on Mondays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m., subject to changes by the Lieutenant Governor and the overall committee structure. Members were reminded that all Committee proceedings will be broadcast on the internet. The Chair announced that a Senate Finance Committee staff briefing would be held on Tuesday, January 26, 1999 at 10:00 a.m. and that a weekly staff briefing would be conducted by John Opperman, of the Lieutenant Governor's Office, for all Senate staff interested in monitoring activities of the Finance Committee. The Chair laid out draft Committee Rules and asked members to review them for adoption later in the week. The Chair answered questions regarding other procedural matters. There being no further business, at 2:55 p.m., the Chair announced that the Committee would stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. ______________________ Senator Bill Ratliff, Chair ______________________ Patricia Hicks, Clerk