MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension Auditorium
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs
was held on Tuesday, April 22, 2003, in the Capitol Extension
Auditorium at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Bill Ratliff None
Senator Todd Staples
Senator Kenneth Armbrister
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
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Chairman Ratliff called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m., and
as was previously announced at the conclusion of the Wednesday,
April 16th hearing, the last two witnesses on Article 10 of HB 4
were called to testify. Mike Hull (TAPA) was called first, and
Tommy Jacks (TTLA) followed. At 8:30 a.m., testimony was halted,
roll was called, and a quorum was established. At the
conclusion of Mr. Hull's and Mr. Jacks' testimony, Senator
Armbrister requested that Philip Presley, TDI, come forward to
answer several questions. At the conclusion of Mr. Presley's
testimony, the chairman moved that the public testimony on
Article 10 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. At
9:20 a.m., and again at 10:16 a.m., Senator Armbrister briefly
assumed the chair.
At 10:50 a.m., Senator Ratliff moved that the committee stand
recessed until after adjournment of the senate; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 2:10 p.m., the committee reconvened, and the chairman opened
the public testimony portion on Article 13 of HB 4. Testimony
was taken and the chairman left testimony open on Article 13.
Chairman Ratliff then opened the public testimony portion on
Article 14 of HB 4. At the conclusion of testimony, the
chairman moved that public testimony on Article 14 be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman opened the public testimony portion on Article 15
of HB 4. There were no witnesses signed up to testify or
register on Article 15. The chairman then moved that public
testimony on Article 15 be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Chairman Ratliff then opened the public testimony portion on
Article 16 of HB 4. At the conclusion of testimony, the
chairman moved that public testimony on Article 16 be closed;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman then went back to Article 13, which was left open
earlier in the afternoon session, and read several cards into
the record. The chairman then moved that public testimony on
Article 13 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff then opened the public testimony portion on
Article 17 of HB 4. At 4:08 p.m., the committee stood at ease
and then resumed testimony on Article 17 at 4:12 p.m. At the
conclusion of testimony, the chairman moved that public
testimony on Article 17 be closed; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Next, the chairman opened the public testimony portion on
Article 18 of HB 4. Testimony was taken and the chairman left
testimony open on Article 18.
Chairman Ratliff opened the public testimony portion on Article
19 of HB 4. At the conclusion of testimony, the chairman moved
that public testimony on Article 19 be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The chairman opened the public testimony portion on Article 20
of HB 4. At the conclusion of testimony, the chairman moved
that public testimony on Article 20 be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff opened the public testimony portion on Article
21 of HB 4. At the conclusion of testimony, the chairman moved
that public testimony on Article 21 be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Chairman Ratliff then went back to Article 18 which was left
open earlier in the afternoon session. At the conclusion of
testimony, the chairman moved that public testimony on Article
18 be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Next, the chairman then opened public testimony on HB 4 (the
entire bill). At the conclusion of testimony, the chairman
moved that public testimony on HB 4 be closed; without
objection, it was so ordered. Witnesses testifying and
registering during today's hearing are shown on the attached
list.
Chairman Ratliff announced that he hoped to have a draft of the
committee substitute for HB 4 ready for the members on Monday,
April 28, 2003.
There being no further business, at 5:25 p.m., 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
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Nancy B. Macken, Clerk