MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
1:00 PM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Jane Nelson, Chair |
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Senator Carlos Uresti |
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Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair |
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Senator Paul Bettencourt |
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Senator Brian Birdwell |
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Senator Kelly Hancock |
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Senator Joan Huffman |
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Senator Lois Kolkhorst |
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Senator Robert Nichols |
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Senator Charles Schwertner |
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Senator Kel Seliger |
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Senator Larry Taylor |
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Senator Kirk Watson |
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Senator Royce West |
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Senator John Whitmire |
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:02 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Senator Nelson and members of the Committee introduced staff.
Senator Nelson announced that the Committee will operate under the rules that were adopted during the 84th Regular Session. Without objection, it was so ordered.
A discussion on the impact of oil prices and production on state revenue and the budget was given by the Comptroller’s office and the Legislative Budget Board.
Witnesses are shown on the attached list.
Testimony was heard on the following interim charge:
Monitor the state's progress in coordinating behavioral health services and expenditures across state government, pursuant to Article IX Sec. 10.04. Identify ways state agencies that provide mental health services are collaborating and taking steps to eliminate redundancy, create efficiency, utilize best practices, ensure optimal service delivery, and demonstrate expenditures are coordinated and in furtherance of a behavioral health statewide strategic plan. Identify barriers that prevent the coordination of behavioral health services. Make recommendations to maximize use of state funding for mental health.
Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.
The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Nelson announced that the next hearing will be on March 30, 2016 to discuss two interim charges related to the franchise tax and sales tax holidays. The hearing following that will be on May 17, 2016.
There being no further business, at 6:08 PM Senator Nelson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Jane Nelson, Chair
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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk