MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM & RELIEF, SELECT

Thursday, February 11, 2016

9:00 AM

Regional Academic Health Center, Harlingen, Texas

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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 Property Tax Reform & Relief, Select was held on Thursday, February 11, 2016, in the Regional Academic Health Center, Harlingen, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair	Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Brandon Creighton	Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Charles Perry
Senator Van Taylor

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

Senator Bettencourt made opening remarks.

Senator Lucio made opening remarks.

Senator Hinojosa attended the hearing and made opening remarks.

Veronica Gonzalez, Vice President of Governmental and Community  Relations, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, gave welcoming remarks.

Testimony was heard on the following interim charges:

Study the property tax process, including the appraisal system, and recommend ways to promote transparency, simplicity, and accountability by all taxing entities.

Examine and develop options to further reduce the tax burden on property owners.

Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed.

There being no further business, at 1:58 PM Senator Paul Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk