MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Monday, October 16, 2006

1:00 p.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Monday, October 16, 2006, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Jeff Wentworth		Senator Jon Lindsay Senator Bob Deuell

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

The Chair made opening remarks and announced that the purpose of the hearing was to consider invited and public testimony regarding interim charges 4,6,7 and 8, which were issued to the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations by Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

 

The Chair laid out interim committee charge 7, study the status of floodplain mapping in Texas communities and the scope of local governments' floodplain development management authority and make recommendations, as necessary, to enable communities to provide accurate floodplain data and management plans that will facilitate more favorable insurance rates and better protect the lives and property of Texas residents in the event of a natural disaster.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on interim committee charge 7. See attached witness list.

 

The Chair laid out interim committee charge 4, study and make recommendations relating to counties' ability to apply for and receive state and federal grants.  Focus on assessing the impact and use of grant funds, on streamlining the process, and upon the impact and options available for counties without incorporated cities and towns.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on interim committee charge 4.  See attached witness list.

 

The Chair laid out interim committee charge 6, study the implementation and impact of legislation passed by the 79th Legislature to increase the economic impact of the Texas Wine Industry on the state's economy and make recommendations, as appropriate.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on interim committee charge 6.  See attached witness list.

 

The Chair laid out interim committee charge 8, study the home ownership rate for low-income Texans.  Make recommendations for increasing home ownership.  Analyze options for enhancing Low Income Housing Tax Credits and include costs and benefits to the state.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on interim committee charge 8.  See attached witness list.

 

With no other business to come before the committee, at 4:05 p.m., Senator Wentworth moved that the committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Committee Clerk