MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Troy Fraser, Chair

Senator Chris Harris, Vice Chair

Senator Kip Averitt

Senator Craig Estes

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

Senator Kevin Eltife

Senator Kyle Janek

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Senator Kirk Watson

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:09 a.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

 

Senator Fraser made opening remarks regarding Charges #4 and #5.

 

Senator Fraser called the invited witnesses for Charge #4.

 

The following testified as a panel:

Mike Geeslin, Commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance

James Murphy, Actuary, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and Texas FAIR Plan Association

 

The following testified as a panel:

Ron Rohrbacher, Texas Association of Builders

Ned Munoz, Texas Association of Builders

Bob Fretz, Jr., Fretz Construction Company

Bob James, Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association

 

 

 

 

The following testified as a panel:

Joe Woods, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America

Beaman Floyd, Lobbyist, Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions

 

Senator Fraser opened up public testimony on Charge #4.

 

Jack D. Burleson, Regional Manager, International Code Council testified before the committee.

 

There being no other public testimony, Senator Fraser closed public testimony on Charge #4.

 

Senator Fraser called the invited witnesses for Charge #5.

 

The following testified as a panel:

Mike Geeslin, Commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance

Rod Bordelon, Office of Public Insurance Counsel

 

Senator Harris assumed the chair. 

 

Senator Fraser resumed the chair. 

 

The following testified as a panel:

Tami Stanton, Deputy Director, Reinsurance Association of America

Fred C. Bosse, American Insurance Association

David Adam Smith, Director of State Affairs, ProtectingAmerica.org

Lee Ann Alexander, Attorney, Liberty Mutual Group

 

Senator Fraser opened up public testimony on Charge #5.

 

Joe Woods, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, testified before the committee.

 

Senator Fraser closed public testimony on Charge #5.

 

There being no further business, at 11:58 a.m. Senator Fraser moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

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Senator Troy Fraser, Chairman

 

 

 

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk