MINUTES 
                                           
                            SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 
                             Wednesday, March 15, 2006 
                                     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 Wednesday, March 15, 2006, in the Capitol Extension,  
         Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Steve Ogden                     Senator Royce West 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini                 
         Senator Kip Averitt                      
         Senator Kim Brimer                       
         Senator Bob Deuell 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Juan Hinojosa 
         Senator Kyle Janek 
         Senator Frank Madla 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
         Senator Florence Shapiro 
         Senator Todd Staples 
         Senator John Whitmire 
         Senator Tommy Williams 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The chair called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.  The chair  
         then recessed the Committee for 10 minutes. 
          
         The chair reconvened the hearing at 9:11 a.m. 
          
         The roll was called.  There being a quorum present, the  
         following business was transacted:   
          
         Senator Zaffirini moved adoption of the minutes from the  
         previous hearings held on February 22, 2006, and March 1, 2006;  
         without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Committee heard testimony regarding Committee Interim Charge  
         #2: Study the impact of the state and local tax structure of  
         Texas businesses relative to their counterparts in neighboring  
         states.  Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee  
         Interim Charge #2 are shown on the attached list.   
          
         Senator Ogden recognized Representative Donna Howard as being  
         present at the hearing. 
          
         Testimony resumed. 
          
         At 10:38 a.m. Senator Whitmire assumed the chair.   
          
         At 10:47 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.   
          
         The testimony was closed. 
          
         There being no further business, at 12:26 p.m. Senator Ogden  
         moved that the Committee stand  adjourned.  Without objection,  
         it was so ordered.   
          
         _____________________________ 
         Senator Steve Ogden, Chair 
          
         _____________________________ 
         Amy Jeter, Clerk