MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Tuesday, February 1, 2000
1:00 p.m.
Capitol Extension E1.030
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a joint public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance
and House Committee on Appropriations was held on Tuesday,
February 1, 2000, in the Capitol Extension E1.030.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Steve Ogden Senator Gonzalo
Barrientos
Senator John Carona
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Mario Gallegos,
Jr.
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Mike Moncrief
Senator Royce West
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. The
following activities took place without the presence of a
quorum:
Members of the Senate Finance Committee and House Committee on
Appropriations met in a joint hearing to receive invited
testimony on drought issues. Senator J.E. "Buster" Brown,
Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, was also in
attendance.
Chairman Ratliff and Chairman Junell made opening remarks. The
Chairmen recognized the following invited witnesses to provide
testimony on issues related to the drought:
Shirley Matjeka, representing the National Weather Center,
Forecast Office, provided an analysis of weather patterns
and possible effects on drought.
Patty Leo, representing the Office of the Comptroller's
Strategic Research Division, provided testimony on the
statewide fiscal impact of the drought.
Chairman Junell recognized Speaker Pete Laney to make brief
comments about the drought's impact on the state.
Invited testimony continued as follows:
Tom Millwee, representing the Department of Emergency
Management, provided testimony on the Drought Preparedness
Council's 1999 report, agency assessment of the drought,
and the drought's budgetary impact on agency resources.
Susan Combs, Commissioner of Agriculture, provided
testimony on the drought's impact on agriculture, the
hay-haul program, Texas Department of Transportation right
of way exemptions and the drought's budgetary impact on
agency resources.
Dr. Jim Butler and Dr. Chester Fehlis, representing the
Texas A&M Extension Service, provided testimony on
conservation and risk management programs, outreach and
water conservation efforts, FARM Assist, the drought's
budgetary impact on agency resources, and provided a
drought resistant crops research update.
Jim Hull, representing the Texas Forest Service, provided
testimony on management efforts, wildfire issues, the
drought's impact on the forestry industry, impact on agency
resources, and the Texas Wildfire Protection Plan.
Craig Peterson, representing the Texas Water Development
Board, provided an update on Senate Bill 1, drought related
financial assistance activities, state reservoirs,
emergency water loan programs, emergency interconnects, and
the drought's impact on agency resources.
Johnny Oswald, representing the Texas State Soil and Water
Conservation Board, provided testimony on the North Concho
Valley program, a feasibility study created by Rider 6 and
the drought's budgetary impact on agency resources.
Bob Huston, Chair of the Texas Natural Resources
Conservation Commission, made introductions and provided
testimony on funding flexibility issues.
Jeff Saitas, representing the Texas Natural Resources
Conservation Commission, provided an update on public water
systems and provided testimony on the drought's past and
projected budgetary impact on agency resources.
Andy Sansom, representing the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department, provided testimony on the drought's economic
impact to recreation facilities, wildlife and fisheries and
impact to bays and estuaries, and the drought's budgetary
impact on agency resources.
George Bomar, representing the Texas Natural Resource
Conservation Commission, provided testimony on the weather
modification program and permitting information.
The chair recognized the following witnesses to provide invited
public testimony:
Michael Thuss, representing the San Antonio Water System
(SAWS);
Greg Ellis, representing Edwards Aquifer Authority;
Steve Pringle, representing the Farm Bureau;
Ed Small, representing Texas and Southwestern Cattle
Raisers;
Tony Williams, representing Texas Cotton Ginners
Association; and
Ed Edmundson, representing Texas Nursery and Landscape
Association.
There being no further business, at 5:00 p.m. Senator Ogden
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Bill Ratliff, Chair
______________________
Patricia Hicks, Clerk