MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
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
Infrastructure Development and Security was held on Tuesday,
April 13, 2004, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at
Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Todd Staples Senator Frank Madla
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Jeff Wentworth
*****
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m. Chairman
Staples made opening remarks and announced the purpose of the
meeting was to consider the committee rules and to receive
testimony on interim committee charges 8 and 9, issued by
Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst.
The Chairman recognized committee staff, namely, Lori Friedman
General Counsel; Patricia Gajda, Committee Clerk; Matt Ogden,
Policy Analyst, and Jeremiah Kuntz, Policy Analyst.
At 1:07 p.m. the Chairman laid out interim committee charge 8, "
Study the issue of interoperable communications for first
responders. The Committee shall assess the status of this
capability and evaluate available technology and costs. In
addition, the Committee shall explore pilot programs and
proposals by entities such as DPS and the Sheriff's Association,
who have been working to assess new technologies and the cost of
implementation of systems to assist in effective communication
between all parts of the state." Invited followed by public
testimony was heard. Witnesses registering and/or testifying
are shown on the attached list.
At 1:27 p.m. roll call for Senate Committee on Infrastructure
Development and Security was taken. Having established a quorum
the Chairman asked if there were any objections to adopting the
interim committee rules. Hearing no objection, the interim
committee rules were adopted.
Invited testimony resumed.
Senator Jeff Wentworth present at 1:34 p.m.
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos present at 1:45 p.m.
The Chairman asked if anyone else present wished to testify on
charge 8. There being no one else present wishing to testify,
charge 8 was left open.
At 2:15 p.m. the Chairman laid out interim committee charge 9,
"Study the issues associated with consular identification cards
("Matricula Consular"), with particular attention to security
and verifiability, banking access, local law enforcement
relations, and driver's license issuance. Review current FBI
reports on security and verifiability. Consider the
implications that acceptance of the card on a state or local
level would have on federal immigration policy and homeland
security." Invited followed by public testimony was heard.
Witnesses registering and/or testifying are shown on the
attached list.
The Chairman asked if anyone else present wished to testify on
charge 9. There being no one else present wishing to testify,
charge 9 was left open.
At 3:50 p.m. the Chairman recessed the hearing until April 14 at
9:30 a.m., when the committee would convene at the State
Operations Center located at DPS Headquarters Building A, 5805
N. Lamar Austin, Texas, and take invited testimony on interim
committee charge 7.
Chairman: Senator Staples
Clerk: Patricia Gajda