MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Thursday, October 28, 1999
10:00 am
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs
was held on Thursday, October 28, 1999 in the Senate Chamber at
Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Florence Shapiro Senator J.E. Brown
Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator David Bernsen Senator Drew Nixon
Senator David Cain
Senator Tom Haywood
Senator Jeff Wentworth
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:15 am. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The Chair made opening remarks regarding the committee's number
and scope of charges. The Senator advised that the committee
would be traveling throughout the state during the next several
months since all of the issues facing the committee affect all
areas of the state. There was discussion of the importance of
the transportation issues and that we will hold several joint
meetings with the Committee on Border Affairs to study those
issues which we share. The Chair notified the committee that
she is assigning Senator Haywood as the State Affairs liaison on
the ERS charge which we share with Senate Finance.
The Chair asked if there were any questions or changes to the
draft interim State Affairs rules. There being no questions or
changes, Senator Shapleigh moved adoption of the interim rules.
There being no objection, the rules were adopted.
The members discussed the preliminary draft timeline for future
committee meetings. Senator Shapiro advised that there was one
change to the draft which changed the November meeting from the
18th to the 19th. There being no further changes or objections
to the proposed timeline, it was approved.
After completing the committee's organizational business, the
Chair began on charge number 7 dealing with evaluating the cost
effectiveness of the purchase of insurance and surety bonds by
state agencies and institutions, including an evaluation of
premiums paid and claims recovered.
The Chair called invited testimony from the Office of the State
Auditor and the State Office of Risk Management. Witnesses
registering on this charge are shown on the attached list.
The Chair asked Linda Adams from the State Office of Risk
Management if they would have better numbers available to be
presented to the committee in the January or February time
frame. Ms. Adams advised that the agency would be ready with
updated and more reliable data at that time. Senator Shapiro
asked the committee if this charge could be held over for a
later date so that they could have the new data. There being no
objection, this charge was held over to be heard again at a
later time.
The Chair called invited testimony from the Texas Department of
Transportation and the Texas Transit Association to testify
regarding charge number 6 dealing with the study of whether
certain types of vehicles such as buses for mass transit, EMS
and fire fighting vehicles, and heavy trucks should be subject
to all of the licensing requirements applicable to automobile
dealers.
The Chair opened public testimony on charge number 6. Witnesses
registering on this issue are shown on the attached list.
Public testimony was closed, without objection, it was so
ordered.
There being no further business, at 12:55 pm Senator Shapiro
moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was
so ordered.
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____________________
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Senator Florence Shapiro, Chair Cindy R.
Nottingham,
Clerk