MINUTES 
                                           
                            SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 
                              Monday, October 25, 2004 
                                     9:00 a.m. 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.036 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was  
         held on Monday, October 25, 2004, in the Capitol Extension, Room  
         E1.036, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Steve Ogden                     Senator Gonzalo  
                                                 Barrientos 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini                Senator Bob Deuell 
         Senator Kip Averitt                     Senator Kyle Janek 
         Senator Kim Brimer                      Senator Todd Staples 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
         Senator Florence Shapiro 
         Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator John Whitmire 
         Senator Tommy Williams 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The Committee heard invited testimony regarding Article III  
         agencies' FY  06 and  07 Legislative Appropriations Requests and  
         other budget matters.  Witnesses testifying and registering on  
         the subject are shown on the attached list. 
          
         Senator Nelson moved adoption of the Committee minutes from the  
         previous hearings held on October 18 and 19, 2004.  Senator  
         Averitt seconded the motion.  Without objection, it was so  
         ordered. 
          
         Invited testimony continued. 
          
         At 11:30 a.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.   
          
         At 11:35 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.   
          
         Invited testimony continued. 
  
         At 12:28 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand  
         recessed for 5 minutes.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 12:35 p.m. Senator Zaffirini reconvened the hearing. 
          
         At 12:36 p.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.   
          
         Invited testimony resumed. 
                                        
         At 1:41 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand  
         recessed for 30 minutes.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 2:17 p.m. Senator Zaffirini reconvened the hearing. 
          
         Invited testimony resumed. 
          
         At 3:50 p.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.   
          
         Invited testimony continued. 
          
         At 5:15 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.   
          
         At 5:19 p.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.   
          
         Invited testimony continued. 
          
         There being no further business, at 6:30 p.m. Senator Ogden  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed until 9 a.m. the  
         following morning, October 26, 2004.  Without objection, it was  
         so ordered.          
          
         ______________________ 
         Senator Steve Ogden, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Amy Jeter, Clerk