MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WORKERS' COMPENSATION, SELECT INTERIM
Thursday, February 26, 2004
10 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Select Committee on
Workers' Compensation was held on Thursday, February 26, 2004,
in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Todd Staples, Chairman Senator John Carona
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Craig Estes
Senator Kyle Janek Senator Juan Hinojosa
Senator Frank Madla
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Royce West
*****
The chairman called the meeting to order at 10:08 a.m. There
being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The chairman made opening remarks and announced that the purpose
of the meeting was to consider the organization, rules and
proposed schedule for the Senate Select Committee on Workers'
Compensation and to receive briefings on interim committee
charges 1 and 6, issued by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst.
The chairman recognized committee staff, namely, Shannon
Wickcliffe, Chief of Staff; Jen Moore, Legislative Director;
Lori Friedman, Committee Director; Jon Schnautz; Policy Analyst
on workers' compensation; and Patricia Gajda, Committee Clerk.
Senator Duncan present at 10:13 a.m.
The chairman laid out the interim committee rules for the Senate
Select Committee on Workers' Compensation. Senator Nelson moved
the adoption of the interim committee rules. There being no
objection, the interim committee rules were adopted.
The chairman laid out interim committee charge 1, "examine the
status of the Health Care Network Advisory Committee's (HNAC)
and the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission's implementation
of the regional workers' compensation health care delivery
networks outlined in Article 2 of HB 2600 (77th Legislature,
2001)." Invited testimony was heard, testimony left open.
Persons testifying are shown on the attached list.
At 11:38 a.m., the chairman laid out interim committee charge
6,"study the efficiency and effectiveness of the state's
workers' compensation system including a comparison of the
medical and indemnity costs associated with the Texas A&M
University system, the University of Texas system, the Texas
Department of Transportation and the State Office of Risk
Management. Evaluate the potential costs and benefits
associated with state agency participation in workers'
compensation networks." Invited testimony was heard, testimony
left open. Persons testifying are shown on the attached list.
At 11:41 a.m. Senator Nelson assumed presiding duties.
At 11:46 a.m. Senator Staples resumed presiding duties.
At 12:13 p.m. the chairman recessed the committee until 12:30
p.m.
At 12:37 p.m. the chairman reconvened the Senate Select
Committee on Workers' Compensation.
The chairman laid out interim committee charge 6, "study the
efficiency and effectiveness of the state's workers'
compensation system including a comparison of the medical and
indemnity costs associated with the Texas A&M University system,
the University of Texas system, the Texas Department of
Transportation and the State Office of Risk Management.
Evaluate the potential costs and benefits associated with state
agency participation in workers' compensation networks."
Invited testimony was heard, testimony left open. Persons
testifying are shown on the attached list.
The chairman announced that the next hearing of the Senate
Select Committee on Workers' Compensation was tentatively
scheduled for Thursday, March 25, 2004.
With no other business to come before the committee and upon a
motion by Senator Nelson, the chairman recessed the committee at
2:42 p.m., subject to the call of the chairman.
___________________________________________
Senator Todd Staples, Chairman
___________________________________________
Scott Caffey, Committee Coordinator