MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Wednesday, February 22, 2006 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 Wednesday, February 22, 2006, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Steve Ogden Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator Kip Averitt Senator Frank Madla Senator Kim Brimer Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Bob Deuell Senator Todd Staples Senator Robert Duncan Senator Royce West Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Kyle Janek Senator Jane Nelson Senator John Whitmire Senator Tommy Williams ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. The Committee heard invited testimony regarding Hospital Funding. Witnesses registering and testifying on the subject are shown on the attached list. The roll was called; a quorum was established. Senator Ogden welcomed new Committee member, Senator Hinojosa. Senator Ogden moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on January 18, 2006 and February 1, 2006; without objection, it was so ordered. Testimony on Hospital Funding resumed. Senator Whitmire assumed the chair. Testimony continued. Senator Ogden resumed the chair. The Committee heard invited testimony regarding Medicare Part D. Witnesses registering and testifying on the subject are shown on the attached list. The Committee heard public testimony regarding Medicare Part D. Witnesses registering and testifying on the subject are shown on the attached list. There being no other witnesses, the testimony was closed. There being no further business, at 12:36 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand recessed until Wednesday, March 1, 2006. Without objection, it was so ordered. _____________________________ Senator Steve Ogden, Chair _____________________________ Amy Jeter, Clerk