MINUTES 
          
                           SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 
                            Thursday, April 24, 1997 
                                     9:00 am 
                         Capitol Extension, Room E1.036 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was  
         held on Thursday, April 24, 1997 in the Capitol Extension,  
         Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.   
          
                                      ***** 
          
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Bill Ratliff                    None 
         Senator Carlos Truan                     
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. 
         Senator Mike Moncrief 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
         Senator Jeff Wentworth 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 am.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted.   
          
         The following members arrived after the roll was called:   
         Senator Kenneth Armbrister 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos 
         Senator Teel Bivins 
         Senator J.E. Brown 
         Senator David Sibley 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 844 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Truan, to explain the bill.   
          
              Ruth Cedillo, representing Texas Department of Housing  
              and Community Affairs, registered on the bill but did not  
              testify. 
          
         Senator Truan moved that SB 844 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1048 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Truan, to explain the bill.   
              Andrea J. Morgan, representing Texas Association of  
      
              Community Development Corporations, testified in favor of  
              the bill. 
              G.K. Sprinkle, representing Texas Association of  
              Community Development Corporations, testified in favor of  
              the bill. 
          
         SB 1048 was left pending. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 102 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Zaffirini, to explain the bill.   
          
         Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between  
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator  
         Zaffirini moved adoption of the committee substitute, without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
              James H. Duke, Jr., representing University of Texas -  
              Houston Medical  School, testified in favor of the bill. 
              S. Dale Oosley, representing Himself, testified in favor  
              of the bill. 
              Troy Alexander, representing Texas Academy of Family  
              Physicians, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Kitty Allen, representing Hermann Hospital, registered in  
              favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Jim Allison, representing County Judges and Commissioners  
              Association of Texas, registered in favor of the bill but  
              did not testify. 
              Ken Bailey, representing Texas State Association of Fire  
              Fighters, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Charles Bauer, representing Himself, registered in favor  
              of the bill but did not testify. 
              Ed Berger, representing Seton HealthCare Network,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Doug Carmichael, representing Texas College of Emergency  
              Physicians, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Mike Click, representing Brownfield Regional Medical  
              Center, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Jim Coles, representing Texas College of Emergency  
              Physicians, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Susan M. Douglass, representing University Hospital - San  
              Antonio, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Robert K. Feather, representing Cook Children's Medical  
              Center, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Alfred Gilchrist, representing Texas Medical Association,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Leticia A. Goodrich, representing Emergency Health Care  
              Advisory Committee, registered in favor of the bill but  
      
              did not testify. 
              Darwin Goodspeed, representing Greater San Antonio  
              Hospital Council, registered in favor of the bill but did  
              not testify. 
              John Haas, representing Greater San Antonio Hospital  
              Council, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              King HIllier, representing Texas Association of Public  
              and Non-Profit Hospitals, registered in favor of the bill  
              but did not testify. 
              John W. Holtermann, representing Texas Silver Haired  
              Legislators, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Jim Huff, representing Himself, registered in favor of  
              the bill but did not testify. 
              Mary R. Lacroix, representing Greater San Antonio  
              Hospital Council, registered in favor of the bill but did  
              not testify. 
              Donald Lee, representing Conference of Urban Counties,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Steve Montgomery, representing Harris Methodist Health  
              System, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Al J. Notzon, representing Alamo Area Council of  
              Governments, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Judge Patricia Ott, representing Justices of the Peace  
              and Constables Association of Texas, Inc., registered in  
              favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Mike Pollard, representing Texas Association of Life and  
              Health Insurers, registered in favor of the bill but did  
              not testify. 
              Bill Rason, representing Greater San Antonio Hospital  
              Council, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Ronald C. Redus, representing Emergency Health Care  
              Advisory Committee, registered on the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Jody R. Rogers, representing Greater San Antonio Hospital  
              Council, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              J.R. Schneider, representing Live Oak County EMS, Board  
              of Directors, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Louise Shumate, representing City of Three Rivers,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              John Sneed, representing Williamson County, registered in  
              favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Bryan Sperry, representing Children's Hospital  
              Association of Texas, registered in favor of the bill but  
              did not testify. 
              Ronald M. Stewart, MD, representing Southwest Texas  
              Regional Advisory Council, registered in favor of the  
              bill but did not testify. 
              Helen Walker, representing County Judges and  
      
              Commissioners Association of Texas, registered in favor  
              of the bill but did not testify. 
              Dinah S. Welsh, representing Texas Hospital Association,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Carl Wengenroth, representing Live Oak County EMS,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Gene Weatherall, representing Texas Department of Health,  
              registered on the bill but did not testify. 
          
         Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 102 do not pass but that CSSB  
         102 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1407 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.   
          
         Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference  
         between the committee substitute and the bill as filed.   
         Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute,  
         without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
              Doug Dashiell, representing Coastal Oil & Gas  
              Corporation, testified in favor of the bill. 
              Lisa Gourley, representing West Park Petroleum, Inc. And  
              Herself, testified in favor of the bill. 
              Carl A. Parker, representing Coastal Corporation,  
              testified in favor of the bill. 
              Don C. Nelson, representing Coastal Oil and Gas  
              Corporation, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Bob Stout, representing Mitchell Energy & Development  
              Corporation, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Thomas M. Weber, representing McElney, Sullivan, Ryan &  
              Miller, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
          
         Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that SB 1407 do not pass but that  
         CSSB 1407 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 2 present not voting,  
         and 0 absent.  Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the bill be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar,  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1183 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Brown, to explain the bill.   
          
         Senator Lucio, Jr. sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Lucio, Jr. to explain the difference  
  
         between the committee substitute and the bill as filed.   
         Senator Lucio, Jr. moved adoption of the committee substitute,  
         without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
              Chris Newton, representing Texas Petroleum Marketers &  
              Convenience Store Association, testified in favor of the  
              bill. 
              Mona Shoemate, representing Comptroller of Public  
              Accounts, testified on the bill. 
          
         Senator Brown moved that SB 1183 do not pass but that CSSB  
         1183 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Brown moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1863 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Lucio, Jr., to explain the bill.   
          
         Dane Harris, representing Texas Association of Business &  
         Chambers of Commerce, testified in favor of the bill. 
         Dan Morales, representing Texas Office of the Attorney  
         General, testified on the bill. 
         Paul W. Nye, representing Retired Appeals Court Chief Justice,  
         testified in favor of the bill. 
         David Pinkus, representing Small Business United of Texas,  
         registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
         Peggy M. Venable, representing Texas Citizens for a Sound  
         Economy, registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
         Jim Wyatt, representing Texas Association of African Chambers,  
         registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
          
         SB 1863 was left pending at the author's request. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1880 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Barrientos, to explain the bill.   
          
              Gary Offineer, representing Texas Veterans Foundation,  
              testified in favor of the bill. 
              Dan Wilson, representing Texas Comptroller of Public  
              Accounts, testified on the bill. 
              James S. Duncan, representing Korean War Veterans  
              Association, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Alexander Vernon, representing Veterans of Foreign Wars,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              William W. McLemore, representing Texas Association of  
              County Veterans Service Officers, registered in favor of  
              the bill but did not testify. 
          
         Senator Bivins moved that SB 1880 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
          The Chair laid out SB 1299 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ellis, to explain the bill.   
          
         Senator Barrientos sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator  
         Barrientos moved adoption of the committee substitute, without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
              Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,  
              testified on the bill. 
          
         Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1299 do not pass but that CSSB  
         1299 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1470 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ellis, to explain the bill.   
          
         Senator Truan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Truan  
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,  
         it was so ordered. 
          
              Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,  
              testified on the bill. 
          
         Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1470 do not pass but that CSSB  
         1470 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.   
         Senator Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1416 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ellis, to explain the bill.   
          
         Senator Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Zaffirini  
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,  
         it was so ordered.  Senator Brown sent up Committee Amendment  
         1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was  
         adopted.  Senator Zaffirini requested unanimous consent to  
         incorporate amendments into the committee substitute.   
          
              No witnesses appeared for, against, or on CSSB 1416. 
  
         Senator Zaffirini moved that SB 1416 do not pass but that CSSB  
         1416 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 11 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1871 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Duncan, to explain the bill.   
              Richard Gonzales, representing Austin Interfaith -  
              Alliance School, testified in favor of the bill. 
              Mary Lou Hoffman, representing Dallas Area Interfaith,  
              testified in favor of the bill. 
              Cedric Johnson, representing The Metropolitan  
              Organization/Alliance Schools, testified in favor of the  
              bill. 
              Kathleen Burke, representing Texas Education Agency,  
              registered on the bill but did not testify. 
              Peter O. Kircher, representing Alliance Schools,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Regina Rogoff, representing Austin Interfaith, registered  
              in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Ingrid L. Williams, representing Alliance Schools,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
          
         Senator Truan moved that SB 1871 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Truan moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB 8 and recognized Senator Truan to  
         explain the bill, in the Senate sponsor's absence.   
          
              Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,  
              testified on the bill. 
          
         Senator Truan moved that HB 8 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, 1  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB 9 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill.  Senator Barrientos  
         sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without  
         objection, the amendment was adopted.   
          
              Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,  
              testified on the bill. 
          
         Senator Barrientos moved that HB 9, as amended, be reported  
         back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and  
  
         be printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 13 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out HJR 8 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Barrientos, to explain the bill.   
              Wardaleen Belvin, representing Texas Tomorrow Fund,  
              testified on the bill. 
          
         Senator Truan moved that HJR 8 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, 1  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB 527 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Nelson, to explain the bill.   
              Judge Al Cornelius, representing Ellis County, testified  
              in favor of the bill. 
          
         Senator Nelson moved that HB 527 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 11 ayes, 0 nays, 1  
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator Nelson moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1534 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Barrientos, to explain the bill.   
          
              M. Colleen McHugh, representing State Bar of Texas,  
              testified in favor of the bill. 
              Antonio Alvarado, representing State Bar of Texas,  
              registered on the bill but did not testify. 
              Pamela Brown, representing Lone Star Justice Fund,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Randall Chapman, representing Legal Hotline for Older  
              Texans, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Jim Comstock-Galagan, representing Advocacy, Inc.,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Bonnie S.Y. Escobar, representing El Paso Community  
              Legislative Agenda, testified in favor of the bill. 
              Lynne Liberato, representing Herself, registered in favor  
              of the bill but did not testify. 
              Julie Oliver, representing Texas Lawyers Care, registered  
              in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Regina Rogoff, representing Legal Aid of Central Texas,  
              registered in favor of the bill but did not testify. 
              Christina Schneider, representing Texas Council on Family  
              Violence, registered in favor of the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Elizabeth Whitaker, representing Herself, registered in  
              favor of the bill but did not testify. 
          
         Senator Barrientos moved that SB 1534 be reported favorably to  
         the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 1 nay, 0  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1375 and recognized Senator Nelson, in  
         the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator  
         Nelson sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption;  
         without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
          
              Dan Wilson, representing Comptroller of Public Accounts,  
              testified on the bill. 
          
         Senator Nelson moved that SB 1375, as amended, be reported  
         back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 13 ayes, 0  
         nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out the Subcommittee Report on Lottery Revenue  
         Dedications and recognized Senator Bivins to explain the  
         report.  Senator Bivins explained that the subcommittee  
         considered  in a public hearing SB 76, SB 105, and SB 180 on  
         April 15, 1997.  Two additional bills (SB 1093 and SB 1489)  
         were posted, but no action was taken.  Public testimony was  
         heard on SB 76 and the bill was left pending.  Public  
         testimony was heard on SB 105; and Senator Nelson moved to  
         refer SB 105, as amended, back to the full Committee with the  
         recommendation that it be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,  
         and 1 absent.  Public testimony was heard on SB 180 and the  
         bill was left pending.  The subcommittee report was accepted  
         by the Committee.   
          
              James Rinn, representing Texas Lottery Commission,  
              testified on SB 105. 
          
         Senator Nelson moved to remove the amendment to SB 105 which  
         had been adopted by the subcommittee.  Senator Truan offered  
         an alternative motion to table Senator Nelson's motion.  The  
         motion to table carried with 7 ayes, 4 nays, 0 present not  
         voting, and 2 absent.  Senator Nelson moved that SB 105 be  
         reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 11 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.   
         The Chair referred SB 815, SB 1510, and SB 1056  to the  
         Subcommittee on Tuition Exemptions for further consideration.   
           
         The Chair laid out SB 1808 and recognized Senator Truan, in  
         the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Truan  
         sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without  
         objection, the amendment was adopted.   
          
              Scott Ryan Gregory, representing Himself, testified in  
              favor of the bill. 
              Richard W. Lariviere, representing The University ot  
              Texas at Austin, testified on the bill. 
  
              Dr. William Dorland, representing Himself, registered in  
              favor of the bill but did not testify. 
          
         Senator Truan moved that SB 1808, as amended, be reported back  
         to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 10 ayes, 2 nays, 1  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out CSSB 126, left pending during a previous  
         hearing, and recognized the author, Senator Bivins, to explain  
         the bill.  Senator Bivins moved that SB 126 do not pass but  
         that CSSB 126 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a vote of 12 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not voting,  
         and 0 absent.  Senator Bivins moved that the bill be  
         recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar,  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1321 and recognized Senator Truan, in  
         the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  Senator Truan  
         sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator  
         Truan to explain the difference between the committee  
         substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Truan moved  
         adoption of the committee substitute, without objection, it  
         was so ordered. 
          
              Sharon  W. Cobb, representing Texas Higher Education  
              Coordinating Board, registered on the bill but did not  
              testify. 
          
         Senator Truan moved that SB 1321 do not pass but that CSSB  
         1321 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Truan moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         At 7:24 pm Senator Truan assumed the chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB 634 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Ratliff, to explain the bill.   
              No witnesses appeared for, against, or on HB 634. 
          
         Senator Ratliff moved that HB 634 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.  Senator Ratliff moved that  
         the bill be recommended for placement on the Local &  
         Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1906 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ratliff, to explain the bill.   
          
         Senator Ratliff sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
  
         recognized Senator Ratliff to explain the difference between  
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator  
         Ratliff moved adoption of the committee substitute, without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
              Tobin K. Harvey, representing Commission's State Energy  
              Conservation Office, registered on the bill but did not  
              testify. 
              Karen Raven, representing State Energy Conservation  
              Office - General Services Commission, registered on the  
              bill but did not testify. 
          
         Senator Ratliff moved that SB 1906 do not pass but that CSSB  
         1906 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a  
         vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Ratliff moved that the bill be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         There being no further business, at 7:30 pm Senator Ratliff  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         ______________________ 
         Senator Bill Ratliff, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Patricia Hicks, Clerk