MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & TRADE

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on International Relations & Trade was held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

Senator Wendy Davis

 

Senator Kel Seliger

Senator Craig Estes

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

Senator Tommy Williams

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The committee heard invited testimony on Interim Charges #3, #4, #5 and #6:

 

3. Study and make recommendations for state actions to increase efficiencies and reduce wait times in crossing the Texas-Mexico border, while ensuring proper security. Review initiatives to maximize bridge-crossing revenue.

 

4. Assess Texas’ trade-related programs and work with the appropriate state and federal agencies to develop initiatives that will increase NAFTA-related commerce in Texas. Make recommendations to encourage communities currently unable to participate in international trade, due to their lack of resources and capacity, to engage in such trade.

 

5. Review the state’s efforts aimed at helping distressed areas, coastal regions and rural communities to compete in the international marketplace. Work with the appropriate state and federal agencies to develop recommendations to create initiatives that will build regional development and capacity with the goal of better facilitating trade and commerce, as well as tourism, in these communities.

 

6. Review the state’s efforts and policies aimed at addressing the workforce training needs of trade-displaced citizens. Report on the effectiveness of these programs and develop recommendations to better assist hard to reach populations in distressed areas, including Spanish-predominant speaking displaced citizens along the Texas-Mexico border region.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the interim charges 3, 4, 5 and 6 are shown on the attached list. 

 

At 11:35 a.m. Senator Davis assumed the chair.

 

At 11:57 a.m. Senator Lucio, Jr. resumed the chair.   

 

The chair moved that the invited testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair opened the hearing to public testimony. Witnesses testifying and registering on the charges are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 12:41 p.m. Senator Lucio, Jr. moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

 

 

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Natalie Fontenot, Clerk