MINUTES 
                                           
                            SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 
                               Monday, April 4, 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, April 4, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room  
         E1.036, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Steve Ogden                     Senator Kip Averitt 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini                Senator Florence Shapiro 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos              Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Kim Brimer                      Senator Todd Staples 
         Senator Bob Deuell                      Senator John Whitmire 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Kyle Janek 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator Tommy Williams 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
              The chair laid out SB 733, relating to the certification of the  
              amount of excess money in the compensation to victims of crime  
              fund, and recognized the author, Senator Williams, to explain  
              the bill.  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 Ogden moved that SB 733 be left pending; without  
              objection, it was so ordered.   
               
              The chair laid out SB 1570, relating to the rate of interest on  
              certain tax refunds, and recognized the author, Senator  
              Williams, to explain the bill.  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 Ogden moved that SB 1570  
              be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   
               
              The chair laid out SB 1571, relating to the exception from the  
      
              hotel occupancy tax for a permanent resident, and recognized the  
              author, Senator Williams, to explain the bill.  Witnesses  
              testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached  
              list.   
               
              At 9:14 a.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand  
              recessed for 5 minutes; without objection, it was so ordered. 
               
              The Committee reconvened at 9:15 a.m. 
               
              Testimony on SB 1571 resumed.  The chair moved that the public  
              testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.   
              Senator Ogden moved that SB 1571 be left pending; without  
              objection, it was so ordered.   
               
              The chair laid out SB 1570, relating to the rate of interest on  
              certain tax refunds, which had been left pending earlier in the  
              hearing.  Senator Williams moved that SB 1570 be reported  
              favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass  
              and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 10  
              ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent.  Senator  
              Williams moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the  
              Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so  
              ordered.   
               
              There being no further business, at 9:44 a.m. Senator Ogden  
              moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
              the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
               
              _____________________________ 
              Senator Steve Ogden, Chair 
               
              _____________________________ 
              Amy Jeter, Clerk