Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 am, May 27, 2009

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744

Commissioner J. Robert Brown, Committee Chair
Gene McCarty, Committee Liaison

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

  1. Update on TPWD Progress in Implementing the TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
    • Location of the August 26-27, 2009 Annual Public Hearing and Commission Meeting
    Staff: Carter Smith
  2. Financial Overview
    Staff: Gene McCarty
  3. Proposed License and Boat Registration Fee Increases – Recommended Adoption of Proposed Changes (Action Item No. 4)
    Staff: Gene McCarty
  4. Advisory Committees – Permission to Publish Proposed Rules in the Texas Register
    Staff: Scott Boruff
  5. Internal Audit Reports – Concluded and Ongoing Internal Audit Activities and Reports
    Staff: Carlos Contreras

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Carter Smith

Finance Committee
Update on TPWD Progress in Implementing the TPWD Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan
May 27, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Carter Smith will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency's efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Carter Smith will update the Finance Committee on TPWD's recent progress in achieving the Plan's Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Finance Committee.

The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:


Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Gene McCarty

Finance Committee
Financial Overview
May 27, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Staff will present a financial overview of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

II. Discussion:


Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Scott Boruff

Finance Committee
Advisory Committees
Permission to Publish Proposed Rules in the Texas Register
May 27, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff is requesting permission to publish in the Texas Register for public comment a proposed rule to extend the duration of agency advisory committees for one year.

II. Discussion: Section 11.0162 of the Parks and Wildlife Code authorizes the Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) to "appoint committees to advise the Commission on issues under its jurisdiction." Chapter 2110 of the Texas Government Code requires that rules be adopted regarding each state agency advisory committee. Unless otherwise provided by specific statute, the rules must (1) state the purpose of the committee; (2) describe the manner in which the committee will report to the agency; and (3) establish the date on which the committee will automatically be abolished, unless the advisory committee has a specific duration established by statute. Other requirements for advisory committees include an annual evaluation, a membership limit of 24 members, balanced membership representation, the selection of a presiding officer by members, and a four-year duration unless otherwise provided by rule.

Effective September 28, 2005, the Commission adopted rules governing advisory committees for the TPWD and the Commission. The advisory committees created by those rules will expire on September 29, 2009. Staff is recommending that a rule be published in the Texas Register for public comment that would extend all TPWD advisory committees for one year.


Committee Agenda Item No. 5
Presenter: Carlos Contreras

Finance Committee
Audit Reports
State Parks Progress Regarding the Audit by State Auditor's Office
Concluded and Ongoing Internal Audit Activities and Reports
May 27, 2009

I. Executive Summary: Internal Audit will discuss the status of the recently concluded and ongoing assignments to include:



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