The House Committee on Appropriations

80th Legislature

February 28, 2007

8:00 a.m.

E1.030

 

Pursuant to a notice posted on February 19, 2007 and revised on February 23, 2007, the House Committee on Appropriations met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Chisum, at 8:23 a.m.

 

The roll was answered as follows:

 

Present:              Representatives Chisum; Guillen; Allen, Alma; Brown, Betty; Brown, Fred; Crownover; Darby; Davis, John; England; Hopson; Isett, Carl; Jackson, Jim; Lucio III; McClendon; McReynolds; Noriega, Rick; Taylor; Turner (18).

 

Absent:              Representatives Branch; Chavez; Dukes; Gattis; Harper-Brown; Kolkhorst; Menendez; Otto; Riddle; Van Arsdale; Zerwas (11).

 

A quorum was present.

 

Testimony was taken.  (See attached witness list.)

 

(Representative Van Arsdale now present.)

 

(Representative Branch now present.)

 

The Chair pended the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) Recommendations for the Parks and Wildlife Department and the Judiciary Section, Comptroller's Department.

 

Department of Agriculture

 

The chair recognized Rep. Betty Brown to lay out the recommendations for the Department of Agriculture. 

 

(Representative Kolkhorst now present.)  (Representative Otto now present.)  (Representative Harper-Brown now present.)

 

Rep. Betty Brown moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Increase Funding for Generate Marketing Opportunities Strategy; Add Appropriation:  Surplus Agricultural Product Grant Program Rider; Items for Future Consideration:  Increase Funding for Generate Marketing Opportunities, Regulate Pesticide use, Integrated Pest Management, Certify Produce, Surveillance/Biosecurity Efforts, Verify Seed Quality, Agricultural Commodity Regulation, Inspect Measuring Devices, Support Nutrition Programs, and Research and Development Strategies to annualize pay raise; Increase Funding for Generating Marketing Opportunities Strategy for the Wine Industry Development Program.  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board

 

The chair recognized Rep. Harper-Brown to lay out the recommendations for the General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board. 

 

At 9:48 a.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the House on February 28, 2007.

 

The committee reconvened at 5:45 p.m. and was called to order by the chair, Representative Chisum. The roll was answered as follows:

 

Present:              Representatives Chisum; Allen, Alma; Brown, Fred; Crownover; Darby; Dukes; England; Gattis; Harper-Brown; Hopson; Isett, Carl; Jackson, Jim; Lucio III; McReynolds; Noriega, Rick; Turner; Van Arsdale; Zerwas (18).

 

Absent:              Representatives Guillen; Branch; Brown, Betty; Chavez; Davis, John; Kolkhorst; McClendon; Menendez; Otto; Riddle; Taylor (11).

 

A quorum was present.

 

Testimony was taken.  (See attached witness list.)

 

The Chair recognized Rep. Harper-Brown to proceed with the recommendations for the General Land Office and Veterans' Land Board.

 

Rep. Harper-Brown moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Provide Contingent Funding for Coastal Erosion Control Grants and Coastal Management Strategies; Increase the Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Positions cap; Add Contingency to Increase the FTE Cap for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program and Contingency Appropriation for General Revenue-Dedicated Coastal Protection Account No. 027 Riders.  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

Commission on Environmental Quality

 

The chair recognized Rep. Crownover to lay out the recommendations for the Commission on Environmental Quality. 

 

(Representative Brown, Betty now present.)  (Representative Taylor now present.)  (Representative Guillen now present.)  (Representative McClendon now present.)  (Representative Chavez now present.)

 

Rep. Crownover moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Increase Funding for Air Quality Assessment and Planning and Water Resource Permitting Strategies; Technical Adjustment to Amend Appropriation in Excess of the Biennial Revenue Estimate:  Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Rider; Amend Texas Emissions Reductions Plan (TERP):  Grants and Administration and Low-Income Vehicle Repair Assistance, Retrofit, and Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (LIRAP) Riders; Add Contingency Appropriation:  Edwards Aquifer Development Fee and Brush Control Program Study Riders.  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

Railroad Commission

 

The chair recognized Rep. Crownover to lay out the recommendations for the Railroad Commission.  Rep. Crownover moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Technical Adjustments to Appropriation Limited to Revenue Collections:  Surface Mining Permits and Appropriation for Pipeline Safety Fees Riders; Amend Appropriation Limited to Revenue Collections:  Surface Mining Permits and Appropriation for Pipeline Safety Fees Riders; Item for Future Consideration:  Funding and Additional FTEs for Underground Pipeline Damage Prevention Program (One-Call Program Rider).  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

Animal Health Commission

 

The chair recognized Rep. Isett to lay out the recommendations for the Animal Health Commission.  Rep. Isett moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Technical Adjustment to Schedule of Exempt Positions; Add Contingency for Capital Budget Items and Allowance for Personally-Owned Horses Riders; Items for Future Consideration:  Add FTEs and Increase Funding for Mileage Reimbursement.  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

Soil and Water Conservation Board

 

The chair recognized Rep. Betty Brown to lay out the recommendations for the Soil and Water Conservation Board.  Rep. Betty Brown moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Increase Funding for Water Conservation and Enhancement and Program Management and Assistance Strategies; Technical Adjustment to Appropriation:  Water Quality Management Plans for Poultry Operators Rider; Amend Allocation of Grant Funds Rider; Add Contingency Rider for House Bill 496; Items for Future Consideration:  Increase Funding for partial restoration of administrative cuts, parity pass-through funds to soil and water conservation districts, and water quality management assistance for poultry.  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

Water Development Board

 

The chair recognized Rep. Betty Brown to lay out the recommendations for the Water Development Board. 

 

(Representative Riddle now present.)

 

 

Rep. McReynolds moved the adoption of Increased Funding for the Economically Distressed Areas (EDAP) Strategy.  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

Rep. McReynolds moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Increase Funding for EDAP Strategy; Technical Adjustment to Transfer Authorized and Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Fund Riders.  Without objection, the motion was adopted.

 

Debt Service Payments -- Non-Self Supporting G.O. Water Bonds

 

The chair recognized Rep. Chavez to lay out the recommendations for the Debt Service Payments -- Non-Self Supporting G.O. Water Bonds.  Rep. Chavez moved the adoption of the LBB Recommendations with the following changes:  Item for Future Consideration:  Increase Funding for EDAP I Final Bond Issuance. 

 

At 7:32 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned until 8:00 a.m., March 1, 2007.

 

 

________________________

Rep. Chisum, Chair

 

 

________________________

Paul Kamprath, Clerk