MINUTES 
                                           
                  SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS 
                             Thursday, November 1, 2001 
                                     1:00 p.m. 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.028 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         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 Thursday, November 1,  
         2001, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Frank Madla                     Senator Todd Staples 
         Senator Jon Lindsay 
         Senator David Cain 
         Senator Florence Shapiro 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator John Whitmire 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The laid out the Committee Rules. Senator Lindsay moved adoption  
         of the rules; without objection, it was so ordered.  
          
         The chair laid out Charge One: Study the appropriateness of  
         foreclosure and other powers granted to property owners'  
         associations to enforce covenants. Bill Stinson, representing  
         Texas Association of Realtors, testified on the charge.   
          
         The chair laid out Charge Two: Examine current state law  
         regarding the purposes, authority and duties of all special  
         districts, including county development districts and fresh  
         water supply districts. The Committee shall examine procedures  
         by which districts are created and board members are selected,  
         the authority to tax and issue bonds, and annexation and  
         condemnation powers. The Committee shall assess the need for  
         safeguards and accountability measures. Susan Alexander,  
         representing Texas Legislative Council, testified on the charge.   
         Jeffrey Thorne, representing Texas Legislative Council,  
         testified on the charge.   
          
         The chair laid out Charge Three: Study the power of county  
         officials to regulate growth and development in unincorporated  
         areas, including housing development, subdivision regulation,  
         water, and general health, welfare, and safety. The Committee  
  
         shall study county ordinance authority and shall assess the  
         effects of HB 1445, HB 3172, and SB 873, 77th Legislature.  
         Donald Lee, representing Texas Conference of Urban Counties,  
         testified on the charge.  Shanna Igo, representing Texas  
         Municipal League, testified on the charge.   
          
         The chair laid out Charge Four: Study the availability and  
         delivery of fire prevention and emergency medical services  
         across the state. The Committee shall assess variances in  
         service delivery and make recommendations to improve services.  
         Kathryn Perkins, representing Texas Department of Health,  
         testified on the charge.  Ken Bailey, representing Texas State  
         Association of Firefighters, testified on the charge.  Ken  
         Campbell, representing State Association of Fire and Emergency  
         Districts, testified on the charge.   
          
         There being no further business, at 3:00 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