MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Wednesday, March 15, 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, March 15, 2006, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Steve Ogden Senator Royce West Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator Kip Averitt Senator Kim Brimer Senator Bob Deuell Senator Robert Duncan Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Kyle Janek Senator Frank Madla Senator Jane Nelson Senator Florence Shapiro Senator Todd Staples Senator John Whitmire Senator Tommy Williams ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m. The chair then recessed the Committee for 10 minutes. The chair reconvened the hearing at 9:11 a.m. The roll was called. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on February 22, 2006, and March 1, 2006; without objection, it was so ordered. The Committee heard testimony regarding Committee Interim Charge #2: Study the impact of the state and local tax structure of Texas businesses relative to their counterparts in neighboring states. Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee Interim Charge #2 are shown on the attached list. Senator Ogden recognized Representative Donna Howard as being present at the hearing. Testimony resumed. At 10:38 a.m. Senator Whitmire assumed the chair. At 10:47 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair. The testimony was closed. There being no further business, at 12:26 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand adjourned. Without objection, it was so ordered. _____________________________ Senator Steve Ogden, Chair _____________________________ Amy Jeter, Clerk