MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Thursday, March 31, 2005
11:00 a.m. or upon adjournment
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 Thursday, March 31, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room
E1.036, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Kip Averitt Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Kim Brimer Senator John Whitmire
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Kyle Janek
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Todd Staples
Senator Royce West
Senator Tommy Williams
*****
Senator Judith Zaffirini, the acting chair, called the meeting
to order at 12:51 p.m. The following business was transacted:
The chair laid out SB 284, relating to charitable contributions
by state employees to certain General Land Office programs, and
recognized the author, Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.
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 Zaffirini moved
that SB 284 be left pending; without objection, it was so
ordered.
At 12:54 p.m. Senator Deuell assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 187, relating to permissible uses of money
in the comprehensive rehabilitation fund, and recognized the
author, Senator Zaffirini, to explain the bill. Senator
Zaffirini sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized
Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. 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. Senator Deuell moved that
SB 187 be left pending to await a quorum; without objection, it
was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 222, relating to exempting books purchased
by university and college students from the sales tax for a
limited period, and recognized the author, Senator Zaffirini, to
explain the bill. 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. Senator Deuell moved that SB 222 be left pending;
without objection, it was so ordered.
At 1:18 p.m. Senator Zaffirini resumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 616, relating to the period for which the
deadline for filing a rendition statement or property report for
ad valorem tax purposes may be extended, and recognized Senator
Brimer, in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.
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. Senator Zaffirini
moved that SB 616 be left pending to await a quorum; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1567, relating to the amount of longevity
and hazardous duty pay for certain state employees, and
recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence of the author, to
explain the bill. Senator Brimer sent up a committee
substitute; the chair recognized Senator Brimer, in the absence
of the author, to explain the difference between the committee
substitute and the bill as filed. 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 Zaffirini moved that SB 1567 be left pending
to await a quorum; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 18, relating to the adoption of an ad
valorem tax rate by a taxing unit other than a school district,
and recognized Senator Janek, in the absence of the author, to
explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the
bill are shown on the attached list.
Roll call was taken, and a quorum established.
The chair laid out SB 616, relating to the period for which the
deadline for filing a rendition statement or property report for
ad valorem tax purposes may be extended, which had been left
pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Averitt moved that SB
616 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
record vote of 11 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 4
absent. Senator Barrientos, Senator Nelson, and Senator Staples
requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye; without
objection, it was so ordered. Senator Averitt moved that the
bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested
Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.
The chair laid out SB 1567, relating to the amount of longevity
and hazardous duty pay for certain state employees, which had
been left pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Williams
moved adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the
hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Williams
moved that SB 1567 do not pass but that CSSB 1567 be reported
back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and
be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 11 ayes, 0
nay, 0 present not voting, and 4 absent. Senator Barrientos,
Senator Nelson, and Senator Staples requested unanimous consent
to be shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Williams moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 2:10 p.m. Senator West assumed the chair.
The chair laid out SB 187, relating to permissible uses of money
in the comprehensive rehabilitation fund, which had been left
pending earlier in the hearing. Senator Zaffirini moved
adoption of a committee substitute sent up earlier in the
hearing; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator
Zaffirini moved that SB 187 do not pass but that CSSB 187 be
reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do
pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of
10 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 5 absent. Senator
Barrientos and Senator Staples requested unanimous consent to be
shown voting aye; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator
Zaffirini moved that the bill be recommended for placement on
the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
Testimony resumed on SB 18, relating to the adoption of an ad
valorem tax rate by a taxing unit other than a school district.
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. Senator Zaffirini
moved that SB 18 be left pending; without objection, it was so
ordered.
There being no further business, at 3:07 p.m. Senator Zaffirini
moved that the Committee stand recessed until 9:00 a.m., Monday,
April 4, 2005. Without objection, it was so ordered.
_____________________________
Senator Judith Zaffirini, Chair
_____________________________
Amy Jeter, Clerk