MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND TRADE Wednesday, May 14, 2003 1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment Capitol Extension, Room E1.016 ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade was held on Wednesday, May 14, 2003, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Teel Bivins Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator John Carona Senator Craig Estes Senator Jane Nelson ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 4:38 p.m. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: Senator Estes moved approval of the minutes from the previous hearings held on May 7, 2003 and May 8, 2003; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out HB 148 and recognized Senator Shapleigh, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony for HB 148. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The bill was left pending before the committee. At 4:41 p.m. Senator Shapleigh assumed the chair. The chair laid out HB 1653 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony for HB 1653. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The bill was left pending before the committee. The chair laid out HB 2975 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony for HB 2975. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The bill was left pending before the committee. The chair laid out HB 3420 and recognized Senator Lucio, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. Senator Lucio sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. The chair opened public testimony for HB 3420. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The bill was left pending before the committee. At 5:13 p.m. Senator Lucio resumed the chair. The chair laid out HB 177 and recognized Senator Shapleigh, in the absence of the Senate sponsor, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony for HB 177. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The bill was left pending before the committee. The chair laid out HCR 59 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Shapleigh, to explain the bill. The chair opened public testimony on HCR 59. Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Estes sent up Committee Amendment 1; the amendment was left pending before the committee. The bill was left pending before the committee. There being no further business, at 5:27 p.m. the chair moved that the committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. ______________________ Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair ______________________ Laura Garcia, Clerk