MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER AFFAIRS - SPECIAL
Thursday, February 18, 1999
8:30 am
Capitol Building, Room 2E.20
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Border
Affairs - Special was held on Thursday, February 18, 1999 in
the Capitol Building, Room 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Robert Duncan
Senator David Sibley
Senator Teel Bivins
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:35 am. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Teel Bivins
Senator Carlos Truan
The Chair stated that there had been some questions regarding
Committee Rule 9. He stated that although Rule 9 was standard
language, he asked that Rule 9 be taken out of the Committee
Rules and that the Rules be renumbered accordingly.
Senator Shapleigh moved that Committee Rule 9 be taken out of
the Committee Rules and that the Rules be renumbered
accordingly.
Without objection, Committee Rule 9 was taken out of the
Committee Rules.
The Chair asked for approval of the Committee Minutes from the
previous hearing.
Senator Sibley moved that the Committee Minutes be approved.
Without objection, the Committee Minutes were approved.
The Chair recognized Chairman David Laney and Executive
Director Charles W. Heald with the Texas Department of
Transportation. Chairman Laney and Mr. Heald gave testimony
on the department's programs and initiatives along the
Texas-Mexico border.
The Chair recognized Colonel Dudley Thomas and Mr. Lester
Mills with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Mr. Thomas
gave testimony on the department's programs and initiatives
along the Texas-Mexico border. Mr. Thomas also gave testimony
on the need for infrastructure.
At 9:55 am the Chair announced that the Committee will stand
recessed until 10 minutes after session.
At 12:55 pm the Committee reconvened.
The Chair laid out SB 201 and recognized the author, Senator
Truan, to explain the bill.
Witnesses registered on the bill are shown on the attached
list.
After explaining the bill, Senator Truan moved that SB 201 be
reported favorably to the full Senate with the recommendation
that it pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote
of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting and 3 absent.
Senator Truan requested unanimous consent to certify the bill
for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair recognized Chairperson Diane Rath and Program
Administrator Larry Jones with the Texas Workforce
Commission.
Chairperson Rath and Mr. Jones gave testimony on actions and
projects relating to the Texas-Mexico Border. She also gave
suggestions as how to better help the Border in regards to
funding and job training.
At 1:25 pm Senator Sibley assumed the chair.
Senator Sibley recognized Executive Deputy Director J.J.
Johnston with the Texas Department of Economic Development.
Mr. Johnston gave testimony on cooperative projects, border
projects, and Texas-Mexico initiatives. Mr. Johnston also
gave testimony on the Office of International Business.
Senator Sibley recognized Director of Finance Craig Pinkley
with the Texas Department of Economic Development. Mr.
Pinkley gave testimony on the Community Investment Program.
Senator Sibley recognized Smart Jobs Director Stella Gutierrez
with the Texas Department o f Economic Development. Ms.
Gutierrez gave testimony on the Smart Jobs Program and the
impact the program has on the Border.
Senator Sibley recognized Associate Commissioner Linda Mora
representing the Texas Education Agency on behalf of
Commissioner Mike Moses. Ms. Mora gave testimony on problems,
as well as programs, that the Border has in terms of
education.
At 1:58 pm Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
At 2:02 pm Chairman Lucio moved that the Committee stand
recessed subject to the call of the Chair. Without objection,
it was so ordered.
At 2:03 pm Chairman Lucio reopened the hearing and asked that
Senator Bivins and Senator Zaffirini be shown voting aye on SB
201. Without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 2:04 pm Chairman Lucio
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair
Stephanie R. Hoover, Clerk