MINUTES 
                                           
                         SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS 
                              Tuesday, April 18, 2006 
                                     8:00 a.m. 
                                   Senate Chamber 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs  
         was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in the Senate Chamber at  
         Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Robert Duncan                   Senator Troy Fraser 
         Senator Tommy Williams                  Senator Chris Harris 
         Senator Kenneth Armbrister              Senator Frank Madla 
         Senator Rodney Ellis 
         Senator Mike Jackson 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.  The chair  
         stood at ease awaiting the arrival of a quorum.  A quorum  
         arrived and the chair instructed the clerk to call the roll at  
         8:11 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business  
         was transacted:   
          
         Senator Williams moved adoption of a motion allowing the chair  
         to limit testimony during all interim hearings.  The motion was  
         adopted without opposition. 
          
         The chair recognized and welcomed Senator Janek. 
          
         The Committee then heard testimony regarding Committee Interim  
         Charge #6:  Study and review current law on the doctrine of  
         eminent domain, including the U.S. Supreme Court case in Kelo v.  
         City of New London. Monitor the implementation of S.B. 7 (79th  
         Legislature, 2nd Called Session) and make any necessary  
         recommendations as to the use of eminent domain for economic  
         development purposes and the issue of what constitutes adequate  
         compensation for property taken through the use of eminent  
         domain.  
             Determine whether a constitutional amendment is prudent and/or  
              necessary to protect private property owners from  
              condemnations for economic development purposes.  
             Determine which state, regional, and local governmental  
              entities have eminent domain powers and how those powers  
              may be used. Make recommendations regarding their  
      
              necessity, fairness, and effectiveness.  
             Study the public policy implications relating to Chapter 2007,  
              Government Code, Private Real Property Rights Preservation  
              Act, its effectiveness in protecting private property  
              rights, and the current impact of regulatory takings on  
              private property owners. 
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee Interim Charge  
         #6 are shown on the attached list. 
          
         The testimony was closed. 
          
         At 10:42 a.m. the chair recessed the Committee until upon  
         adjournment of the full senate. 
          
         The Committee reconvened at 12:10 p.m. and took testimony on  
         Committee Interim Charge #3:  Study and make recommendations on  
         how election officials could verify the identity of a voter  
         without hindering a person's right to vote. Include an analysis  
         of the extent to which individuals are casting multiple votes  
         because of any lack of voter identification verification. Make  
         recommendations on how the state could improve its vote-by-mail  
         system to ensure the authenticity of those ballots.  
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee Interim Charge  
         #3 are shown on the attached list. 
          
         The testimony was closed 
          
         The Committee took testimony on Committee Interim Charge #8:   
         Study the prevalence, legality and ethics of entities that  
         actively lobby the Legislature to impact the lawmaking process  
         while that entity is in any way a recipient of state funds.  
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee interim Charge  
         #8 are shown on the attached list. 
          
         At 1:58 p.m. Senator Williams assumed the chair.   
          
         At 2:01 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair.   
          
         The testimony was closed. 
          
         There being no further business, at 2:47 p.m., Senator Duncan  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.