MINUTES 
                                           
                            SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 
                              Monday, January 31, 2005 
                                     9:00 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 Monday, January 31, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room  
         E1.036, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Steve Ogden                     None 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini 
         Senator Kip Averitt 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos 
         Senator Kim Brimer 
         Senator Bob Deuell 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Kyle Janek 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
         Senator Florence Shapiro 
         Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Todd Staples 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator John Whitmire 
         Senator Tommy Williams 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
          
         The chair made introductory remarks, welcomed Committee members  
         to the Senate Finance Committee, and outlined the schedule for  
         the General Appropriations Act.  The chair then recognized each  
         member for opening remarks. 
          
         The chair introduced Committee staff, and each Committee member  
         was recognized to introduce their staffs. 
          
         The chair laid out the proposed Committee Rules.  Senator  
         Zaffiniri moved to adopt the rules, and Senator Duncan seconded  
         the motion.  A record vote was taken.  The motion carried with a  
         record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 2  
         absent. 
          
         The chair recognized the following witnesses: 
  
         Billy Hamilton, Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts,  
         provided testimony on the 2006-07 Biennial Revenue Estimate. 
          
         John Heleman, Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts,  
         provided testimony on the 2006-07 Biennial Revenue Estimate. 
          
         At 10:14 a.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.   
          
         The chair laid out SB 1, the General Appropriations Bill, and  
         recognized the author, Senator Ogden, to explain the bill.   
          
         At 10:16 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.   
          
         The chair noted that all forthcoming testimony from the LBB and  
         all Articles of the budget would be testimony on SB 1. 
          
         The chair recognized John O'Brien, Deputy Director of the  
         Legislative Budget Board (LBB).  Mr. O'Brien introduced LBB  
         staff, and provided testimony on the Overview of Budget  
         Recommendations.  John Newton, Paul Priest, Ursula Parks, and  
         John McGeady also provided testimony for the LBB. 
          
         The chair recognized Mark Wiles of the LBB to provide testimony  
         on Article VIII Special Provisions. 
          
         Testimony was given on the following agencies with witnesses on  
         the attached list: 
          
         Board of Chiropractic Examiners 
         State Board of Dental Examiners 
         Board of Pharmacy 
         Board of Nurse Examiners 
          
         At 12:36 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand  
         recessed until 30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Committee reconvened at 3:01 p.m. 
          
         Testimony resumed on the following agencies, with witnesses on  
         the attached list: 
          
         Executive Council of Physical and Occupational Therapy Examiners 
         Board of Medical Examiners 
         Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners 
         Optometry Board 
         Board of Examiners of Psychologists 
         Department of Banking 
          
         The chair laid out the tentative Committee schedule, including  
         workgroup assignments. 
          
         Testimony resumed on the following agencies, with witnesses on  
         the attached list: 
          
         Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner 
         Savings and Loan Department 
         Credit Union Department 
         Board of Tax Professional Examiners 
         Securities Board 
         Board of Plumbing Examiners 
         Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners 
         Health Professions Council 
         Funeral Service Commission 
         Residential Construction Commission 
         Office of Public Insurance Counsel 
         Board of Professional Land Surveying 
         Department of Licensing and Regulation 
          
         At 6:03 p.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.   
          
         Real Estate Commission 
         Department of Insurance 
          
         At 6:34 p.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.   
          
         State Office of Administrative Hearings 
         Board of Professional Geoscientists 
         Racing Commission 
         Structural Pest Control Board 
         Public Utility Commission 
         Office of Public Utility Counsel 
         Workers' Compensation Commission 
         Board of Barber Examiners 
         Cosmetology Commission 
          
         Senator Ogden moved that SB 1 be left pending; without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         There being no further business, at 8:04 p.m. Senator Ogden  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed until 8:00 a.m. the  
         following morning, February 1, 2005.  Without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         _____________________________ 
         Senator Steve Ogden, Chair 
          
         _____________________________ 
         Amy Jeter, Clerk