MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON REDISTRICTING
Wednesday, February 9, 2000
2:00 p.m.
Abilene Civic Center
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Redistricting
was held on Wednesday, February 9, 2000, in the Abilene Civic
Center.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Troy Fraser Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Frank Madla
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Royce West
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Co-chair Fraser called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Co-chair Fraser made opening remarks thanking the City of
Abilene for hosting the hearing. He thanked all the public for
attending and giving their input into the Redistricting process.
Representative Bob Hunter also made comments welcoming the
Senate and House members to Abilene and thanking the city for
their hospitality. He introduced city officials that were
present at the meeting.
Co-chair Gallegos thanked the City of Abilene and introduced all
of the Senate members.
Chairman Jones introduced all of the House members that were
present.
Co-chair Fraser introduced the Senate staff for Redistricting:
Doug Davis (Committee Director), Tara Cowen Rejino (Committee
Clerk) and Steve Foster (General Counsel).
Chairman Jones introduced House Redistricting staff, Glen Hunt
(Committee Clerk).
Senators Barrientos, Lucio, Co-chair Gallegos, and
Representative Keffer talked about the Redistricting process.
Co-chair Fraser laid out the Senate Rules for adoption.
Senator Barrientos questioned why his copy of the rules referred
only to a singular "chair". Co-chair Fraser pointed out that
the rules in the Senators' notebooks, and before the committee
for adoption, referred to plural "Co-chairs".
Senator West asked whether the rules would allow written
testimony to be accepted without a person testifying at the
hearing. Co-chair Fraser explained that the testimony would be
accepted in accordance with Senate rules.
The Rules were then adopted without any objection.
Co-chair Fraser then laid out the proposed hearing schedule for
adoption. Co-chair Gallegos asked whether the Rio Grande Valley
location had been chosen. Co-chair Fraser explained that the
site had not been chosen, but that staff were working on a site
for proposal. Senator Barrientos pointed out the September 16th
Austin hearing date as being the Diez y Seis de Septiembre,
which the Co-chair said the committee would take into
consideration. Co-chair Gallegos moved that the hearing schedule
be adopted. Without objection the schedule was adopted with the
understanding that the Chairs of both committees could modify
the schedule by mutual agreement.
Co-chair Fraser introduced David Hanna, Alan Ware and Kelly
Hosak of the Texas Legislative Council for a presentation on
Redistricting.
Co-chair Gallegos motioned that the committee limit public
testimony to 3 minutes. The motion passed with a record vote of
8 "ayes", 0 "nays". After some discussion on the motion
Co-chair Gallegos moved to reconsider the vote, and Co-chair
Gallegos' motion was withdrawn without objection.
At 3:30, Co-chair Fraser opened up public testimony. Witnesses
testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.
Chairman Jones read a statement on Redistricting.
There being no further business, at 4:46 p.m. Co-Chair Fraser
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
________________________
Senator Troy Fraser, Co-chair
___________________________
Senator Mario Gallegos, Co-chair
______________________
Tara Cowen Rejino, Clerk