MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER AFFAIRS - SPECIAL
Thursday, February 25, 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 25, 1999 in
the Capitol Building, Room 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Teel Bivins
Senator David Sibley
Senator Robert Duncan
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 Duncan
Senator Sibley
The Chair asked for approval of the Committee Minutes from the
previous hearing.
Senator Zaffirini moved that the Committee Minutes be
approved.
Without objection, the Committee Minutes were approved and
read into the record.
The Chair gave opening remarks. Chairman Lucio stated that
with the expertise of the people testifying, the Committee
will be able to outline and recommend specific items to be
taken under consideration during the
legislative/appropriations process.
The Chair opened the floor to public testimony.
The Chair recognized Comptroller Carole Rylander, Sandra
Martinez, and Billy Hamilton with the State Comptroller's
Office. Comptroller Rylander, Ms. Martinez, and Mr. Hamilton
gave testimony regarding the challenges and opportunities that
exist along the Texas-Mexico border.
The Chair recognized Secretary of State, Elton Bomer.
Secretary Bomer gave testimony on dealing with existing
colonias and stopping the proliferation of new colonias.
At 9:50 am the Chair announced that the Committee stand in
recess until 10 minutes after session.
At 11:32 am the Committee reconvened.
The Chair recognized Commissioner Susan Combs, the Texas
Department of Agriculture. Commissioner Combs gave testimony
on priorities that the Department has for the border.
The Chair recognized Chairman Mike Allen representing the
Border Infrastructure Coalition. The Chair also recognized
Vice President for Executive Affairs, Roland Arriola with the
University of Texas Pan-American. Chairman Allen and Mr.
Roland gave testimony on issues relating to the border.
At 12:07 pm Senator Truan assumed the chair.
Senator Truan recognized Executive Director, Jeff Saitas and
Diana Borja with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation
Commission. Mr. Saitas and Ms. Borja gave testimony on what
the Commission is doing to protect the environment and to
improve conditions for the residents in the border region.
At 12:36 pm Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
The Chair recognized the Executive Administrator for the Texas
Water Development Board, Craig Pedersen. Mr. Pedersen gave
testimony on the Board's programs and initiatives relating to
the border.
At 1:16 pm Senator Truan assumed the chair.
Senator Truan recognized the General Counsel for the Attorney
General's Office, Clark Ervin. Mr. Ervin gave testimony on
the Attorney General's efforts to better the border region.
Senator Truan recognized Executive Director, Daisy Stiner, and
Ruth Cedillo, with the Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs. Ms. Stiner and Ms. Cedillo, gave testimony
on programs and initiatives that the Department is involved in
that relate to the border region.
At 1:50 pm Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
The Chair recognized Brent Stewart with the Texas Department
of Housing and Community Affairs.
Mr. Stewart gave testimony on programs and initiatives that
the Department is involved in that relate to the border
region.
The Chair recognized Amy Johnson and Program Manager, Andrew
Ramirez with Border Water Works. The Chair also recognized
Colonia Resident Leader, Ricardo Mireles with Colonia Sun
Country Estates. Ms. Johnson, Mr. Ramirez, and Mr. Mireles
gave testimony on programs relating to border colonias.
At 2:36 pm Senator Shapleigh assumed the chair.
Senator Shapleigh recognized El Paso County Attorney, Jose
Rodriguez. Mr. Rodriguez gave testimony on the issues
regarding the relocation efforts of colonias in the El Paso
area.
Senator Shapleigh recognized Manual Pacillas, Patricia
Holland-Branch, and Woody Hunt from El Paso. Mr. Pacillas,
Ms. Holland, and Mr. Hunt gave testimony on El Paso's Five
Star Agenda.
At 2:52 pm Senator Lucio resumed the chair.
At 3:05 pm Senator Lucio asked that the Committee stand in
recess for 10 minutes.
At 3:19 pm the Committee reconvened.
At 3:37 pm Senator Shapleigh assumed the chair.
At 3:42 pm Senator Lucio resumed the chair.
The Chair recognized Vice President for Executive Affairs,
Roland Arriola with the University of Pan American. Mr.
Arriola gave testimony on exceptional line items that the
University is proposing.
The Chair recognized Co-Director, John Henneberger with Texas
Low Income Housing Information Services. Mr. Henneberger gave
testimony on recommendations for funding initiatives and
programs which deal with the affordable housing problem along
the border.
At 4:09 pm Senator Lucio asked that the Committee stand in
recess.
At 4:15 pm the Committee reconvened.
The Chair recognized Wayne Halbert with the Texas Irrigation
Council. Mr. Halbert gave testimony on programs and
initiatives concerning water conservation projects along the
border.
There being no further business, at 4:20 pm Senator 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