The House Committee on Appropriations
79th Legislature
March 2, 2005
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, E1.030
Pursuant to a notice posted on February 25, 2005, and revised on
February 28, 2005 and March 1, 2005, the House Committee on
Appropriations met in a public hearing and was called to order
by the chair, Representative Pitts, at 8:05 a.m.
The roll was answered as follows:
Present: Representatives Pitts; Luna; Berman; Brown, Betty;
Brown, Fred; Chisum; Davis, John; Edwards; Guillen;
Haggerty; Hamric; Hegar; Hopson; King, Tracy;
Kolkhorst; Pickett; Smith, Todd; Truitt; Turner (19).
Absent: Representatives Branch; Crownover; Dukes; Gattis;
Hope; Isett; Martinez; McClendon; Menendez; Pena
(10).
A quorum was present.
Testimony was taken. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative Hope now present.)
Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor
Representative Chisum moved the adoption of the previously
pended motion for the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the
Governor.
Without objection, the motion was adopted.
(Representative Martinez now present.) (Representative Menendez
now present.) (Representative McClendon now present.)
Department of Licensing and Regulation
The chair recognized the Legislative Budget Board [hereinafter:
"LBB"] staff to lay out the Appropriations Transfers from the
Board of Barber Examiners and the Cosmetology Commission to the
Department of Licensing and Regulation motion.
Representative Fred Brown moved the adoption of the
Appropriations Transfers from the Board of Barber Examiners and
the Cosmetology Commission to the Department of Licensing and
Regulation motion.
Without objection, the motion was adopted.
(Representative Isett now present.) (Representative Branch now
present.) (Representative Gattis now present.) (Representative
Dukes now present.) (Representative Pena now present.)
Department of Transportation
The Committee considered previously pended recommendations and
heard testimony from the agency. The Chair pended further
discussion until later in the day.
(Representative Crownover now present.)
Teacher Retirement System
The chair recognized Representative Kolkhorst to lay out the
recommendations for the Teacher Retirement System.
Under Rule 4, Section 23A, Chairman Pitts recognized
Representative Eiland to provide information to the committee.
The chair pended the recommendations.
Optional Retirement Program
The chair recognized Representative Guillen to lay out the
recommendations for the Optional Retirement Program.
Representative Guillen moved the adoption of the LBB
recommendations with the following changes: Technical adjustment
to the Use of Local Funds for Supplementing the General Revenue
Appropriation to the Optional Retirement Program Rider.
Without objection, the motion was adopted.
School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The chair recognized Representative Todd Smith to lay out the
recommendations for the School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired.
Representative Todd Smith moved the adoption of the LBB
recommendations with the following changes: Items for Future
Consideration: General Obligation Bond proceeds for renovations
and upgrades for facilities, Restoration of work hours of
administrative, teaching, and related services staff, and
Restoration of the 5 percent reduction.
Without objection, the motion was adopted.
School for the Deaf
The chair recognized Representative Todd Smith to lay out the
recommendations for the School for the Deaf.
Representative Todd Smith moved the adoption of the LBB
recommendations with the following changes: Technical adjustment
to estimated appropriations for Federal Funds; Amend Capital
Budget Rider; Items for Future Consideration: General Obligation
Bond proceeds for repairs and rehabilitation projects to meet
ADA compliance and for energy efficiency and Restoration of the
5 percent reduction.
Without objection, the motion was adopted.
At 9:57 a.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection,
the meeting was recessed until final adjournment of the house.
The committee reconvened at 12:22 p.m. and was called to order
by the chair, Representative Pitts. The roll was answered as
follows:
Present: Representatives Pitts; Berman; Brown, Betty; Brown,
Fred; Chisum; Crownover; Edwards; Hegar; Hope;
Hopson; Isett; Kolkhorst; Pena; Pickett; Smith, Todd;
Turner (16).
Absent: Representatives Luna; Branch; Davis, John; Dukes;
Gattis; Guillen; Haggerty; Hamric; King, Tracy;
Martinez; McClendon; Menendez; Truitt (13).
A quorum was present.
Testimony was taken. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative King, Tracy now present.) (Representative Truitt
now present.) (Representative Martinez now present.)
State Board for Educator Certification
The chair recognized Representative Todd Smith to lay out the
recommendations for the State Board for Educator Certification.
The chair pended the recommendations.
Special Provisions for the Texas School for the Blind and
Visually Impaired and Texas School for the Deaf
The chair recognized Representative Kolkhorst to lay out the
recommendations for the Special Provisions for the Texas School
for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Texas School for the
Deaf.
Representative Kolkhorst moved the adoption of the LBB
recommendations.
Without objection, the motion was adopted.
(Representative Gattis now present.) (Representative Guillen now
present.) (Representative Dukes now present.) (Representative
McClendon now present.) (Representative Hamric now present.)
(Representative Branch now present.) (Representative Haggerty
now present.) (Representative Davis, John now present.)
(Representative Menendez now present.)
Department of Transportation
The Committee heard testimony from the agency. The chair pended
the recommendations.
At 2:58 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection,
the meeting was adjourned until 8:00 a.m., March 3, 2005.
________________________
Rep. Pitts, Chair
________________________
Cristina Self, Clerk