The House Committee on County Affairs 
         77th Legislature 
         August 21, 2002 
         9:30 a.m. 
         Capitol Extension, E1.026 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted on August 1, 2002, the House  
         Committee on County Affairs met in a public hearing and was  
         called to order by the chair, Representative Ramsay, at 9:35  
         a.m. 
          
         The roll was answered as follows: 
          
         Present:  Representatives Ramsay; Lewis, Glenn; Brown, Betty;  
                   Chisum; Krusee; Salinas (6). 
          
         Absent:   Representatives Farabee; Hilderbran; Shields (3). 
          
         A quorum was present. 
          
         The committee took public and invited testimony on the following  
         interim charges: 
          
         Interim Charge #1 - Review the implementation of H. B. 2869,  
         77th Legislature, creating the Texas County Financial Data  
         Advisory Committee, and county information systems, including  
         coordination with state agencies. 
          
         (Representative Farabee now present.) 
          
         Testimony was taken.  (See attached witness list.) 
          
         Interim Charge #3 - Review the County Essential Services Grant  
         Program. 
          
         Testimony was taken.  (See attached witness list.) 
          
         Interim Charge #4 - Review the implementation of county fee and  
         fine collection programs and S. B. 732, 77th Legislature. 
          
         Testimony was taken.  (See attached witness list.) 
          
         Interim Charge #2 - Examine the revenue sources available to  
         county governments, including but not limited to taxes, to  
         determine whether revenue sources are keeping pace with demands  
         for services.  Evaluate the impact of ad valorem tax exemptions  
         granted since 1985.  Assess the varying levels of tax effort in  
         different counties and factors that may account for the  
         differences observed. 
         Testimony was taken.  (See attached witness list.) 
          
         At 1:40 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection,  
         the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair. 
          
         ________________________ 
         Rep. Ramsay, Chair 
          
         ________________________ 
         Missy Warren, Clerk