MINUTES 
                                           
              SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY 
                            Wednesday, February 9, 2005 
                                     8:30 a.m. 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.016 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on  
         Transportation and Homeland Security was held on Wednesday,  
         February 9, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at  
         Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Todd Staples                    Senator Gonzalo  
         Barrientos 
         Senator Kim Brimer                      Senator Frank Madla 
         Senator Rodney Ellis 
         Senator Jon Lindsay 
         Senator Florence Shapiro 
         Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Jeff Wentworth 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         After a few opening remarks, Chairman Staples introduced the  
         Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee staff.   
         The members of the committee introduced their staff that will be  
         handling the committee. 
          
         Senator Ellis moved to adopt the committee rules.  Chairman  
         Staples asked the members if they had any questions regarding  
         the rules that had been previously distributed to the members'    
         offices.  There being no questions and no objection, the  
         committee rules were adopted. 
          
         After a brief video discussing the TransTexas Corridor, invited  
         testimony began. 
          
         Witnesses registering and/or testifying are shown on the  
         attached list. 
          
         There being no further business, at 10:46 a.m. Senator Staples  
         moved that the committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         _____________________________ 
         Senator Todd Staples, Chair 
          
         _____________________________ 
         Patricia Gajda, Clerk