MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, November 15, 2010

9:00 a.m.

Senate Chamber

 

*****

 

 

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Monday, November 15, 2010, in the Senate Chamber.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Bob Deuell

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

Senator Robert Duncan

Senator John Carona

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

 

*****

 

Senator Bob Deuell, the acting chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The committee heard invited and public testimony on Interim Charge 3:  Study the implementation of the Healthy Texas program enacted by the 81st Legislature and the ongoing implementation of SB 1731, 80th Legislature, to determine if this program is effectively lowering health insurance costs and increasing access to health insurance for small business. Study and make recommendations about using this program to increase access to health insurance for sole proprietors. Review other states efforts to lower health care costs to small business owners and sole proprietors and incentivize small business owners and sole proprietors to purchase insurance.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the charge are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair closed public testimony on Interim Charge 3.

 

The committee heard invited and public testimony on the following portion of Interim Charge 2:  Monitor the actuarial and financial conditions of the pension and health care programs administered by the Teacher Retirement System and the Employees Retirement System.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the charge are shown on the attached list.

 

The chair closed public testimony on Interim Charge 2.

 

There being no further business, at 11:15 a.m. Senator Deuell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Erin Fry, Clerk