MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

9:30 AM

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 Wednesday, March 30, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jane Nelson, Chair		None
Senator Juan Hinojosa, Vice Chair
Senator Paul Bettencourt
Senator Brian Birdwell
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Joan Huffman
Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Carlos Uresti
Senator Kirk Watson
Senator Royce West
Senator John Whitmire

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:35 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

The Chair and members of the Committee had a discussion on Behavioral Health Funding.

 

Testimony was heard on the following interim charges:

 

Review the budgeting format of other states, such as whether they use strategy-based budgeting, program-based budgeting, or some other approach and discuss the level of transparency with each approach. Review and make recommendations to reduce state debt liabilities, including state pension liability. Consider how to incentivize state agencies, boards, and commissions to identify and realize savings to taxpayers.

 

Study the benefits, including the dynamic effects, of continuing to phase out the franchise tax. Consider alternate approaches to funding the Property Tax Relief Fund.

 

Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair.

 

Senator Nelson resumed the chair.

 

Review the state's current sales tax holiday structure and determine its economic benefit to the state. Evaluate and consider the merits of any potential expansion of the tax holiday either in the application of the sales tax exemption or the timing of the holiday.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

 

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

 

Senator Nelson announced that the next Senate Finance Committee hearing will be on May 17, 2016 to discuss the interim charge on the spending limit.

 

There being no further business, at 2:54 PM Senator Nelson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Senator Jane Nelson, Chair

 

 

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk