MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Thursday, April 10, 2008

1:00 p.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Thursday, April 10, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West Senator Robert Nichols Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Dan Patrick Senator Jeff Wentworth		None

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator West moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 27, 2008.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out the interim committee charge to study the provision of fire and emergency medical services through Emergency Service Districts (ESDs) and make recommendations concerning the provision of those services, and for reconciling potential conflicts due to overlapping taxing jurisdictions in the areas of the state served by ESDs.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited and public testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list.

 

The Chair laid out the interim committee charge to review the process for the creation of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and other special districts, and investigate whether the creation of a standard municipal utility district statute is feasible, and whether it would enable the legislature to more efficiently evaluate proposed districts during the legislative session.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list.  There were no public witnesses registered to testify on this interim committee charge.

 

The Chair laid out the interim committee charge to monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation.  Specifically, report on changes made by SB 968, relating to financing tools for certain obligations for public improvements and for certain obligations of The University of Texas System and evaluate the need for further changes to Chapter 1371 Texas Government Code.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list. 

 

At 3:00 p.m. Senator Nichols assumed the chair. 

 

At 3:05 p.m. Senator West resumed the Chair. 

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide public testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list.

 

There being no further business, at 3:30 p.m. Senator Wentworth moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk