MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
8:00 a.m.
Senate Chamber
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs
was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006, in the Senate Chamber at
Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Tommy Williams Senator Chris Harris
Senator Kenneth Armbrister Senator Frank Madla
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
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The chair called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. The chair
stood at ease awaiting the arrival of a quorum. A quorum
arrived and the chair instructed the clerk to call the roll at
8:11 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business
was transacted:
Senator Williams moved adoption of a motion allowing the chair
to limit testimony during all interim hearings. The motion was
adopted without opposition.
The chair recognized and welcomed Senator Janek.
The Committee then heard testimony regarding Committee Interim
Charge #6: Study and review current law on the doctrine of
eminent domain, including the U.S. Supreme Court case in Kelo v.
City of New London. Monitor the implementation of S.B. 7 (79th
Legislature, 2nd Called Session) and make any necessary
recommendations as to the use of eminent domain for economic
development purposes and the issue of what constitutes adequate
compensation for property taken through the use of eminent
domain.
Determine whether a constitutional amendment is prudent and/or
necessary to protect private property owners from
condemnations for economic development purposes.
Determine which state, regional, and local governmental
entities have eminent domain powers and how those powers
may be used. Make recommendations regarding their
necessity, fairness, and effectiveness.
Study the public policy implications relating to Chapter 2007,
Government Code, Private Real Property Rights Preservation
Act, its effectiveness in protecting private property
rights, and the current impact of regulatory takings on
private property owners.
Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee Interim Charge
#6 are shown on the attached list.
The testimony was closed.
At 10:42 a.m. the chair recessed the Committee until upon
adjournment of the full senate.
The Committee reconvened at 12:10 p.m. and took testimony on
Committee Interim Charge #3: Study and make recommendations on
how election officials could verify the identity of a voter
without hindering a person's right to vote. Include an analysis
of the extent to which individuals are casting multiple votes
because of any lack of voter identification verification. Make
recommendations on how the state could improve its vote-by-mail
system to ensure the authenticity of those ballots.
Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee Interim Charge
#3 are shown on the attached list.
The testimony was closed
The Committee took testimony on Committee Interim Charge #8:
Study the prevalence, legality and ethics of entities that
actively lobby the Legislature to impact the lawmaking process
while that entity is in any way a recipient of state funds.
Witnesses testifying and registering on Committee interim Charge
#8 are shown on the attached list.
At 1:58 p.m. Senator Williams assumed the chair.
At 2:01 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair.
The testimony was closed.
There being no further business, at 2:47 p.m., Senator Duncan
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.