MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

12:00 p.m.

Senate Chamber

 

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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 Wednesday, October 15, 2008, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Chris Harris Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Leticia Van de Putte		Senator Tommy Williams Senator John Carona Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Troy Fraser Senator Mike Jackson

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 12:11 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The Committee heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge No. 9: study and make recommendations to reduce illegal gambling in Texas, including, but not limited to, illegal use of eight-liners. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the subject are shown on the attached list.

 

At 1:03 p.m. Senator Harris assumed the chair.

 

At 1:05 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair.   

 

The Committee also heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge No. 4:  study the issue of security and accuracy in Texas elections.  The study should include the benefits and risks of electronic voting technology, including the necessity of maintaining a paper record of each electronic vote.  The study should also include an analysis of fraud in Texas elections, including prosecution rates for voter fraud, the processes for purging ineligible voters from voter lists, and the integrity of the main-in and provisional ballot systems.  Study the effectiveness of electronic voting technology and voter ID laws in other states.  Monitor the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of May 2002, including the implementation of the Texas Election Administration Management system.  Recommend statutory and regulatory changes designed to ensure that only eligible voters are allowed to vote in Texas elections and that each vote is accurately counted. 

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the subject are shown on the attached list.

 

 

There being no further business, at 4:15 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Erin Fry, Clerk