MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

9:30 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair	Senator José Menéndez
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Vice Chair	Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Sylvia Garcia
Senator Larry Taylor

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:34 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following member arrived after the roll was called:

Senator Larry Taylor

The chair laid out interim committee charge 3: Review natural disaster preparedness planning and coordination in the wake of a growing range of threats. Evaluate whether existing processes maximize regional cooperation to rebuild housing and infrastructure, and allow for the timely dissemination of funds to units of local governments for reconstruction following a federal declaration. Develop recommendations, if necessary, to improve the efficiency of disaster recovery efforts, incorporating best practices identified from other states, as well as lessons-learned from past reconstruction efforts in Texas.

Invited testimony was heard.  Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

Senator Bettencourt assumed the chair.

Senator Bettencourt laid out interim committee charge 2: Examine the processes used by home rule municipalities to adopt ordinances, rules, and regulations, including those initiated by petition and voter referendum. Determine if additional statutory safeguards are necessary to ensure that ballot language accurately describes proposed initiatives. Identify ways to improve transparency and make recommendations, if needed, to ensure that local propositions and the means by which they are put forth to voters, conform with existing state law.

Senator Lucio resumed the chair.

Invited testimony was heard.  Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

The chair laid out interim committee charge 6: Examine ways to improve government accountability in elections regarding the issuance of public debt. Include a review of the information that is currently provided to individuals in the voting booth and provide statutory recommendations, if necessary, to improve transparency.

Invited testimony was heard.  Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

There being no further business, at 2:47 PM Senator Garcia moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Senator Bettencourt seconded the motion.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

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Dilip Kanuga, Clerk