The House Committee on Appropriations 77th Legislature March 1, 2001 7:00 a.m. Capitol Extension, E1.030 Pursuant to a notice posted on February 21, 2001, the House Committee on Appropriations met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Junell, at 7:06 a.m. The roll was answered as follows: Present: Representatives Junell; West, George "Buddy"; Allen; Delisi; Flores; Gutierrez; Hamric; Heflin; King, Tracy; Luna, Vilma; Maxey; McReynolds; Pickett; Puente; Smith (15). Absent: Representatives Coleman; Eiland; Farrar; Gallego; Giddings; Glaze; Hochberg; Janek; Moreno, Paul; Mowery; Pitts; Turner, Sylvester (12). A quorum was present. Testimony was taken. (See attached witness list.) Office of the Governor (Representative Glaze now present.)(Representative Turner, Sylvester now present.)(Representative Giddings now present.) Representative Heflin moved the adoption of LBB recommendations. Without objection, the motion was adopted. Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor (Representative Gallego now present.)(Representative Farrar now present.) Representative Heflin moved the adoption of LBB recommendations with the following change: To revise Unexpended Balance authority estimates. Without objection, the motion was adopted. Comptroller of Public Accounts Representative Heflin moved the adoption of LBB recommendations with the following technical changes: Modify Rider 15, Texas Performance Review and e-Texas Commission, to indicate change of strategies in which funds are appropriated. Restore Rider 13, Reimbursement for Treasury Operations inadvertently deleted from the bill pattern. And with the other following changes: Capital Budget rider (Heflin #1) and Texas State IT Academy rider (Heflin #2). Without objection, the motion was adopted. Comptroller of Public Accounts Fiscal Programs Representative Flores moved the adoption of LBB recommendations with the following technical changes: Modify appropriation to Strategy A.1.3., Reimbursement-Commitment Hearings, to reflect UB authority between fiscal years. Modify statutory reference in Strategy A.1.11., Local Continuing Education Grants, to reflect Occupation Code, Section 1701.157. Reduce GR appropriation each year of the biennium and add GR-Dedicated Account 116, Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education, and increase appropriations to that account in the same amount each year. Modify language in Strategy A.1.6., County Taxes-University Lands, to reflect the correct year in which the Act identified was implemented. And with the other following changes: Department of Energy Federal Funds rider (Flores #1) and Texas Energy Coordination Council rider (Flores #2) and Oil Overcharge Settlement Funds rider (Flores #3). Without objection, the motion was adopted. Social Security Contributions and Benefit Replacement Pay Representative Flores moved the adoption of LBB recommendations. Without objection, the motion was adopted. Texas Department of Agriculture (Representative Hochberg now present.) Representative Flores moved the adoption of LBB recommendations with the following changes: Capital Construction of Metrology Laboratory rider (Flores #1) and Contingency Appropriation: Additional Loan Volume rider (Flores #2) and Appropriations Limited to Revenue Collections: Octane Testing rider (Flores #3) and Appropriation: "Go Texas" Partner Program rider (Flores #4) and Appropriation of Receipts: Yardage Fees rider (Flores #5) and Contingency to Increase the Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Cap for New Initiatives rider (Flores #6) and Capital Budget rider (Flores #7). And with the addition of the following to Article XI: Salary Parity. Information Systems Development. Additional FTEs to Protect against Invasive Pests. Funding for Existing Positions for the biennium. Additional GOTEPP funds for the biennium. Purchase of personal computers and laptops. Use Interest Earned on GOTEPP Account. Without objection, the motion was adopted. At 8:26 a.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair. ________________________ Rep. Junell, Chair ________________________ Darshoel Willis, Clerk