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