MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND TRADE
Wednesday, March 5, 2003
8:30 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on International
Relations and Trade was held on Wednesday, March 5, 2003, in the
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Teel Bivins
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator John Carona
Senator Craig Estes
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Judith Zaffirini
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:38 a.m. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The committee heard invited and public testimony on homeland
security issues affecting the Texas-Mexico border and the Gulf
Coast region.
Jack Colley, State Coordinator for the Governor's Division of
Emergency Management, gave an overview of the state's emergency
management plan and the state's terrorism preparedness program.
Jay Kimbrough, the state's homeland security coordinator,
provided information on the state's homeland security
activities.
Michael Behrens, Executive Director of the Texas Department of
Transportation, and Amadeo Saenz, Assistant Executive Director
with the Texas Department of Transportation, gave an overview of
the Department's involvement in homeland security issues.
Raul Besteiro, Port Director with the Port of Brownsville,
provided testimony on the port's preparations and needs
regarding homeland security issues.
George Ramon, representing the Mexico-Texas Bridge Owners
Association, and Jose Pulido, bridge director with the city of
Pharr, provided testimony on their international bridge's
preparations and needs regarding homeland security issues.
At 10:35 a.m. Senator Lucio moved that the committee stand
recessed until 1:30 p.m or upon adjournment; without objection,
it was so ordered.
At 1:34 p.m. the committee reconvened.
The chair laid out SB 353 and recognized the author, Senator
Shapleigh, to explain the bill.
The chair opened public testimony for SB 353. No individuals
registered to testify on SB 353 at that time. The chair then
moved that the public testimony on SB 353 be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. The chair moved that SB 353 be
left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 1:40 p.m. Senator Nelson assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 535 and recognized the author, Senator
Lucio, to explain the bill. Senator Lucio sent up a committee
substitute; the chair recognized Senator Lucio to explain the
difference between the committee substitute and the bill as
filed. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are
shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public
testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Lucio moved adoption of the committee substitute;
without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Lucio moved that
SB 535 do not pass but that CSSB 535 be reported back to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0
present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Lucio moved that the
bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Lucio moved that SB 353 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0
present not voting, and 1 absent. Senator Lucio moved that the
bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 1:58 p.m. Senator Lucio resumed the chair.
Senator Nelson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous
hearing held on February 5, 2003; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Senator Shapleigh requested unanimous consent to be shown voting
"aye" on SB 353 and SB 535. There being no objection, it was
so ordered. Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to be
shown voting "aye" on SB 353 and SB 535. There being no
objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 2:00 p.m. Senator Lucio
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair
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Laura Garcia, Clerk