MINUTES 
                                           
                            SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 
                            Thursday, February 22, 2001 
                                     9:30 a.m. 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.036 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was  
         held on Thursday, February 22, 2001, in the Capitol Extension,  
         Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Rodney Ellis                     Senator Chris Harris 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos              Senator Mike Jackson 
         Senator Robert Duncan                    
         Senator Troy Fraser 
         Senator Tom Haywood                      
         Senator Jon Lindsay 
         Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.                 
         Senator Steve Ogden                      
         Senator Carlos Truan 
         Senator John Whitmire 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The chair laid out SB435 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Staples, to explain the bill.  Senator Ellis moved that SB435 be  
         left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The chair laid out SB248 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Carona, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and  
         registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.  The  
         chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Ellis moved that SB248 be  
         left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.    
          
         The chair laid out SB640 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Duncan, to explain the bill. Senator Duncan moved that SB248 be  
         reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it  
         do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote  
         of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.  Senator  
  
         Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the  
         Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         The chair laid out SB519 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Shapleigh, to explain the bill. Senator Ellis moved that SB248  
         be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         There was no action taken for the following bill(s):  
         SB 615 by Harris 
          
         There being no further business, at 10:19 a.m. Senator Ellis  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed until 8:00 am, Monday,  
         February 26, 2001.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         __________________________ 
         Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair 
          
         __________________________ 
         Myra  J. Schmitt, Clerk