MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Monday, March 22, 1999
9:00 p.m.
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 Monday, March 22, 1999 in the Capitol Extension, Room
E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff None
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator John Carona
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Mike Moncrief
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Royce West
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senators Fraser and Gallegos.
The Committee resumed its markup session on Senate Bill 2
(General Appropriations Bill) and worked on the following:
Alcohol Beverage Commission
Criminal Justice Policy Council
Department of Criminal Justice
Commission Jail Standards
Department of Public Safety
The Committee adopted specific items included in the
Legislative Budget Board (LBB) markup document on each agency.
A formal vote will be taken on adopted items at the end of the
markup process.
Action taken on items not included in the LBB markup
documents, included the following:
During the markup session on the Department of Criminal
Justice:
Senator Carona moved adoption of a funding item for $1.5
million each year to expand the Faith-Based
Rehabilitation Programs, staffing needs and new services
as determined by the Director of Programs and Services
Division. The motion carried without objection.
Senator West moved adoption of a rider to support the
Transitional Support Program under the Department of
Criminal Justice. The motion carried without objection.
During the markup session on the Department of Public Safety:
Senator Gallegos moved adoption of a rider to appropriate
funds received from the Department of Transportation
through the Federal Incentive Program contingent upon the
enactment of SB 114. Senator Ratliff asked the LBB to
modify the rider language to ensure its
constitutionality. The rider was adopted with the
understanding that LBB staff would modify the rider's
language.
Senator Ogden moved adoption of a rider addressing
appropriations for salaries under the Department of
Public Safety. Senator Ratliff proposed adopting the
rider's concept. Senator Ratliff's proposal was
agreeable to the author and the rider was adopted without
objection. Senator Ratliff also suggested that the
Committee consider a rider that would require trainees to
serve a certain amount of time or repay training expenses
if they leave the Department before their required
service expires. Senator Ratliff asked that the matter
be brought back before the Committee at a later date.
Witnesses called on to answer questions of the Committee are
shown on the attached list.
At 12:55 p.m., Senator Ratliff announced that the Committee
would stand recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the
Senate. Due to action on the Senate floor, the Committee did
not reconvene.
______________________
Senator Bill Ratliff, Chair
______________________
Patricia Hicks, Clerk