MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Tuesday, January 23, 2001
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public
hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Tuesday, January 23,
2001, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Chris Harris
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Judith Zaffirini
.
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. There being a quorum
present, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Tom Haywood
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Steve Ogden
The Chair recognized the following witnesses to provide testimony regarding
Legislative Budget Board (LBB) recommendations:
Department of Agriculture
Jeff Scarpelli, LBB Budget Analyst
Susan Combs, Commissioner
Thanked the LBB for the continued recommendation of the
eradication of the boll weevil program. Spoke to the exceptional
items in the proposed budget request. Answered many questions
from the Committee.
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission
Tom Lambert, LBB Budget Analyst
Joe Walraven, Sunset Commission
Christian Ninaud, Sunset Commission
Jeff Saitas, Executive Director
Spoke to the cap on FTE's and retention and hiring of employees
in critical areas. Answered many questions from Committee.
Robert Huston, Chairman
Spoke to the TNRCC Priority Funding items that were not included
in SB 1. Stressed the Human Resource requests. Answered many
questions from Committee members.
Ralph Marquez, Board Members
Answered questions from Committee members.
Machelle Pharr, Chief Financial Officer
Answered questions from members.
Registering, but not testifying
John Baker, Commissioner
Public Testimony:
Dwayne "Sparky" Anderson, Program Director, Clean Water Action
Spoke about the views of A C T, Alliance For A Clean Texas.
At 10:40 a.m. Senator Ellis moved that the committee stand recessed until
30 minutes after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The Committee reconvened at 12:22. The Chair stated that the Committee
would continue with the next agencies on the agenda. When a quorum of the
committee are present testimony on TNRCC would continue.
River Compact Commission
Tom Lambert, LBB Budget Analyst
Hermon Settemeyer, Interstate Compacts Coordinator
Gave a very brief statement on some of the issues the Commission
is facing. Answered questions.
J.W. Thrasher, Jr., Commissioner
Gave overview of proposed budget.
Tom Bohl, Attorney with the Atty. General's Office
Discussed a law suit that is pending. Answered questions from
Committee.
Texas Animal Health Commission
Jeff Scarpelli, LBB Budget Analyst
Rob Brown, Chairman
Spoke about the new Executive Director and the importance of the
continuation of the surveillance of bovine tuberculosis.
Romulo Rangel, Jr., D.V.M,, Board Member
Spoke to the qualifications of the newly hired Executive Director
and the need for a salary increase.
Dr. Linda Logan, Executive Director
Gave overview of the Commission and spoke to the exceptional
items in the proposed budget. Answered questions from the
Committee.
Bruce Hammond, Director/Admin.-Finance
Answered questions from the Committee about FTE's.
Max E. Coats, Jr., D.V.M, Board Member
Answered specific questions asked by Senator Truan concerning
brucellosis and other questions from the Committee.
Registering, but not testifying
Dale Jaroszewski, Self
Angela Lucas, Director of Financial Services
The Chair called the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the
above witnesses, already sworn in, to continue answering questions from the
Committee.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Zelma Smith, LBB Budget Analyst
Steve Hopson, Sunset Commission
Andrew Sansom Executive Director
Gave an overview of what the department had concentrated on in
the past decade and what they hope for in the future. Spoke
specifically to the exceptional items in the proposed budget
request. Answered questions from Committee.
Mark E. Watson, Jr., Commissioner
Spoke briefly about the future and what needs to be done to
insure that all citizens will be able to enjoy our parks and
wildlife areas.
Alvin L. Henry, Board Member
Spoke of his enjoyment in serving on the Board and his
involvement with urban issues. Answered questions from the
Committee.
Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board
Tom Lambert, LBB Budget Analyst
Robert G. Buckley, Executive Director
Introduced the Chairman of the Board. Spoke to the exceptional
items in the requested budget. Answered questions from the
Committee.
Edward Albecht, Chairman of the Board
Introduced board members in attendance:
Wayne Register, Vice Chair Dayton Elam, Member
Donald Swann, Member James K. Brite, Member
Spoke to the overall budget requests and the salary increase for
the Executive Director. Answered questions from Committee.
Registering, but not testifying:
James M. Moore, Asst. Executive Director, Conservation Programs
Texas Water Development Board
Tom Lambert, LBB Budget Analyst
Karen Latta, Sunset Commission
Craig Pedersen, Executive Administrator
Spoke to the exceptional items in the proposed budget. Answered
questions from the Committee.
Noe Fernandez, Vice-Chair
Spoke to the overall and specific programs of the Board. He
addressed the need for a salary increase of 10% for the Executive
Administrator. Spoke of the increased difficulty in competing
with private industry for all employees. Answered questions from
Committee.
Registering, but not testifying:
Bill Meadows, Board Members
The Chair re-called Jeff Saitas, TNRCC, to answer specific questions from
Senator Ogden pertaining to poultry contamination. Answered questions
about the definition of a point source and other issues relating to that
subject.
There being no further business, at 4:46 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that the
Committee stand recessed until 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 24, 2001.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair
______________________
Myra J. Schmitt, Clerk