MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Monday, January 31, 2005
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, January 31, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room
E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Steve Ogden None
Senator Judith Zaffirini
Senator Kip Averitt
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Kim Brimer
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Kyle Janek
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Todd Staples
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 chair made introductory remarks, welcomed Committee members
to the Senate Finance Committee, and outlined the schedule for
the General Appropriations Act. The chair then recognized each
member for opening remarks.
The chair introduced Committee staff, and each Committee member
was recognized to introduce their staffs.
The chair laid out the proposed Committee Rules. Senator
Zaffiniri moved to adopt the rules, and Senator Duncan seconded
the motion. A record vote was taken. The motion carried with a
record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2
absent.
The chair recognized the following witnesses:
Billy Hamilton, Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts,
provided testimony on the 2006-07 Biennial Revenue Estimate.
John Heleman, Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts,
provided testimony on the 2006-07 Biennial Revenue Estimate.
At 10:14 a.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 1, the General Appropriations Bill, and
recognized the author, Senator Ogden, to explain the bill.
At 10:16 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.
The chair noted that all forthcoming testimony from the LBB and
all Articles of the budget would be testimony on SB 1.
The chair recognized John O'Brien, Deputy Director of the
Legislative Budget Board (LBB). Mr. O'Brien introduced LBB
staff, and provided testimony on the Overview of Budget
Recommendations. John Newton, Paul Priest, Ursula Parks, and
John McGeady also provided testimony for the LBB.
The chair recognized Mark Wiles of the LBB to provide testimony
on Article VIII Special Provisions.
Testimony was given on the following agencies with witnesses on
the attached list:
Board of Chiropractic Examiners
State Board of Dental Examiners
Board of Pharmacy
Board of Nurse Examiners
At 12:36 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand
recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Committee reconvened at 3:01 p.m.
Testimony resumed on the following agencies, with witnesses on
the attached list:
Executive Council of Physical and Occupational Therapy Examiners
Board of Medical Examiners
Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
Optometry Board
Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Department of Banking
The chair laid out the tentative Committee schedule, including
workgroup assignments.
Testimony resumed on the following agencies, with witnesses on
the attached list:
Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner
Savings and Loan Department
Credit Union Department
Board of Tax Professional Examiners
Securities Board
Board of Plumbing Examiners
Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Health Professions Council
Funeral Service Commission
Residential Construction Commission
Office of Public Insurance Counsel
Board of Professional Land Surveying
Department of Licensing and Regulation
At 6:03 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.
Real Estate Commission
Department of Insurance
At 6:34 p.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.
State Office of Administrative Hearings
Board of Professional Geoscientists
Racing Commission
Structural Pest Control Board
Public Utility Commission
Office of Public Utility Counsel
Workers' Compensation Commission
Board of Barber Examiners
Cosmetology Commission
Senator Ogden moved that SB 1 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 8:04 p.m. Senator Ogden
moved that the Committee stand recessed until 8:00 a.m. the
following morning, February 1, 2005. Without objection, it was
so ordered.
_____________________________
Senator Steve Ogden, Chair
_____________________________
Amy Jeter, Clerk