IN ADDITION The Texas Register is required by statute to publish certain documents, including applications to purchase control of state banks, notices of rate ceilings, changes in interest rate and applications to install remote service units, and consultant proposal requests and awards. To aid agencies in communicating information quickly and effectively, other information of general interest to the public is published as space allows. Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner Notice of Rate Ceilings The Consumer Credit Commissioner of Texas has ascertained the following rate ceilings by use of the formulas and methods described in Title 79, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 1.04, as amended (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 5069-1.04). graphic Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 7, 1996. TRD-9614740 Leslie L. Pettijohn Commissioner Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner Filed: October 9, 1996 Employees Retirement System of Texas Invitation for Bids: Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Program Annual Audit of the Administrator's Claims Operations In accordance with sec.4 of Article 3.50-2, Texas Insurance Code, as amended, the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) announces an Invitation For Bids (IFB) to conduct a claims administration audit of the administrators' operations under the Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Program. Such audit shall include, but not be limited to, claims administration, contract compliance, gross and net costs, administration costs, and the annual accounting specified under sec.9 of the above cited statute. It will not entail an audit of the administrator's financial records. Firms wishing to respond to the invitation should have superior recognized expertise and specialization in accounting and audit principles related to claims administration, group insurance contract administration, and financial accounting. The IFB instructions which detail information regarding the project are available upon request from the Employees Retirement System of Texas. The deadline for receipt of the bids in response to this invitation will be 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 1996. The ERS reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids submitted. The ERS is under no legal requirement to execute a resulting contract on the basis of this announcement. The ERS intends to use bids as a basis for further negotiations of specific project details. The ERS will base its choice on cost, demonstrated competence, superior qualifications, and evidence of conformance with the IFB criteria. This IFB does not commit the ERS to pay any costs incurred prior to execution of a contract. Issuance of this announcement in no way obligates the ERS to award a contract or to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a bid. The ERS specifically reserves the right to vary all provisions set forth at any time prior to execution of a contract when the ERS deems it to be in the best interest of the State of Texas. For further information regarding this announcement, or to obtain copies of the IFB instructions, please contact James W. Sarver, Employees Retirement System of Texas, Group Insurance Division, 18th and Brazos, P. O. Box 13207, Austin, Texas 78711-3207, (512) 867-3217. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1996. TRD-9614730 Sheila W. Beckett Executive Director Employees Retirement System of Texas Filed: October 9, 1996 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Request For Proposals 1997-1998 Grants Program Title II-Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program Act of 1994 (P.L. 103-382) Approximately $2.8 million will be available to support K-12 teachers and other staff in gaining access to professional development in mathematics and science during 1997-98. Funds will be competitively distributed in Texas under The Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program. The Eisenhower program was most recently reauthorized in 1994 as Title II of the Improving America's School Act of 1994. Proposals for funding must be submitted by February 24, 1997 to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Attention: Martha Dempsey, P.O. Box 12788, Austin, Texas 78711. Applications will be available November 1, 1996. The Eisenhower Professional Development Program is designed to support training and retraining of elementary and secondary teachers and other staff in mathematics and science. Approximately 50-60 grants ranging from $50,000 - $70,000 will be made to support collaborative programs between higher education institutions, and local school districts or regional service centers. The Board will approve recommendations for 1997-98 awards at its April 17-18, 1997 meeting. Projects are funded under this application for 17 months and must be completed by September 30, 1998. All public and private colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations of proven effectiveness in educating mathematics and science teachers are eligible to apply for grants under the Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program. For information, contact the Eisenhower office at (512) 483-6318. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 7, 1996. TRD-9614624 James McWhorter Assistant Commissioner for Administration Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Filed: October 7, 1996 Texas Department of Human Services Notice of Public Hearing-Child and Adult Care Food Programs The Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) will conduct a public hearing to receive comments regarding adoption of four proposed rules related to improving Family Day Care Home services provided under the Child and Adult Care Food Program: Eligibility Criteria and Performance Standards, Risk Analysis, Administrative Sanctions and participation in a pilot project to test a Third Party Menu Validation system. The hearing will be held on Friday, October 25, 1996, in the Public Hearing Room of the John H. Winters Building, 701 West 51st St., Austin, Texas. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m.; speaker registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. A visitor's pass will be issued at the reception desk in the lobby. If you are unable to attend the hearing, but wish to make recommendations regarding the proposed rules, written comments will be accepted. Please address written comments to the attention of Sally Foshko, Director of Special Nutrition Programs, Texas Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 149030, Mail Code Y-904, Austin Texas 78714-9030. Persons with disabilities planning to attend this hearing who may need auxiliary aids or services are asked to contact Amber Cole at (512) 483-3941 by October 18, 1996, so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1996. TRD-9614664 Glen Scott General Counsel, Legal Services Texas Department of Human Services Filed: October 8, 1996 Notice of Public Hearing The Commissioner of Insurance, or his designee, will hold a public hearing under Docket Number 2256 on November 19, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 100 of the Texas Department of Insurance Building, 333 Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas, to consider a petition by the staff of the Texas Department of Insurance proposing the adoption of amendments to the Texas Workers' Compensation Statistical Plan (the Plan). The petition requests the consideration of amendments to the Plan to clarify that submission of unit statistical reports may be made in either electronic or paper format; to show the designation of a new statistical agent; to revise reporting instructions; to revise the agency name; to revise the change of ownership reporting rules; to add instructions for filing deductibles; to add statistical codes; to add instructions for filing data for statistical codes 9887 and 9889; to add instructions for filing policies that report experience for multiple entities; to add instructions for filing unit statistical reports on employee leasing policies; to delete the requirements to file the Deductible Aggregate Code field; to add statistical code 9890 (Negotiated Experience Modifier Credit); and to make minor miscellaneous editorial changes. The Commissioner has jurisdiction of this matter pursuant to the Insurance Code, Articles 5.58, 5.96 and 21.69. Copies of the full text of the staff petitions and proposed revised plan are available for review in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas, 78701. For further information or to request copies of the petition and the proposed revised plan, please contact Angie Arizpe, at (512) 322-4147, (refer to Reference Number w-1096-41- I). Comments on the proposed changes must be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication of the proposal in the Texas Register to the Office of the Chief Clerk, P. O. Box 149104, MC 113-2A, Austin, Texas, 78714-9104. An additional copy of the comment should be submitted to Clare Pramuk, Director, Data Services, P. O. Box 149104, MC 105-5D, Austin, Texas, 78714-9104. This notification is made pursuant to the Texas Insurance Code Article 5.96, which exempts it from the requirements of the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act (Government Code, Title 10, Ch. 2001.) This agency hereby certifies that the proposed amendments have been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority to adopt. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 9, 1996. TRD-9614751 Robert R. Carter, Jr. Assistant General Counsel Texas Department of Insurance Filed: October 9, 1996 Texas Department of Insurance Notice of Hearing The Commissioner of Insurance, or his designee, will hold a public hearing under Docket Number 2257 on November 19, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 100 of the Texas Department of Insurance Building, 333 Guadalupe Street in Austin, Texas to consider a petition by the staff of the Texas Department of Insurance proposing the adoption of amendments to the Texas Detailed Claim Information Statistical Plan (the Plan). The petition requests the consideration of amendments to the Plan to show changes due to the designation of a new statistical agent; to modify logical and fatal edits to improve data quality; to add injury code 97 for repetitive motion injuries; to change procedures for following up on rejected claims and filing subsequent reports; to add edit numbers for fatal errors; and revise other data reporting procedures. The Commissioner has jurisdiction of this matter pursuant to the Insurance Code, Articles 5.58, 5.96 and 21.69. Copies of the full text of the staff petition and the proposed revisions of the Plan are available for review in the Office of the Chief Clerk of the Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas, 78701. For further information or to request copies of the petitions and proposed revisions of the Plan, please contact Angie Arizpe, at (512) 322-4147 (refer to Reference Number W-1096-42-I). Comments on the proposed changes must be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication of the proposal in the >Texas Register to the Office of the Chief Clerk, P. O. Box 149104, MC 113-2A, Austin, Texas, 78714-9104. An additional copy of the comment should be submitted to Clare Pramuk, Director, Data Services, P. O. Box 149104, MC 105-5D, Austin, Texas, 78714-9104. This notification is made pursuant to the Texas Insurance Code Article 5.96, which exempts it from the requirements of the Administrative Procedure and Texas Register Act (Government Code, Title 10, Ch. 2001.) This agency hereby certifies that the proposed amendments have been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority to adopt. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 9, 1996. TRD-9614754 Robert R. Carter, Jr. Assistant General Counsel Texas Department of Insurance Filed: October 9, 1996 Legislative Budget Board and Governor's Office of Budget and Planning Schedule for Joint Budget Hearings (for the period of October 21-25, 1996) on Appropriations Requests for the 1998-1999 Biennium Texas Workforce Commission, October 22, 2:00 p.m., Room 106, John H. Reagan Building, 105 West 15th Street, Austin, Texas Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1996. TRD-9614666 Judith S. King Analyst Legislative Budget Board and Governor's Office of Budget and Planning Filed: October 8, 1996 Railroad Commission of Texas Invitation for Bids The Railroad Commission of Texas, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division (Commission), is soliciting bids for the installation of erosion control features and fencing of approximately 295 acres at the Butler-Weddington (Area 2A) Abandoned Mine Land (AML) site as well as erosion control and repair on previously reclaimed Butler-Weddington (Area 1), Manka, and Smith AML project sites. As the designated state agency for implementation of the "Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 "(30 U.S.C.A. sec.1201 et seq), the Commission will award a unit price contract to the lowest and best bidder for completion of this work. Sealed bids will be received until 2 p.m., November 13, 1996, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read at the address given below. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at the site at 9:00 a.m., October 30, 1996. Construction work items will include: 1)Mobilization 2)Water Control Construction and Erosion Repair 3)Gradient Terrace Construction 4)Grassed Waterway Construction 5)Fences 6)Low Water Crossing Copies of the specifications, drawings and other contract documents are on file in Austin at the following address. The complete bid package may be obtained from the following mailing address: FY96 Uranium AML and Erosion Control Project; Surface Mining and Reclamation Division; Railroad Commission of Texas; 1701 N. Congress Avenue; P.O. Box 12967 Austin, Texas 78711- 2967; Attn: Melvin B. Hodgkiss, P.E., Director. All questions concerning the work or bid document must be received by 5:00 p.m., November 6, 1994. For further information contact Mark Rhodes at 463-7313. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1996. TRD-9614714 Mary Ross McDonald Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel Railroad Commission of Texas Filed: October 8, 1996 Invitation for Bids The Railroad Commission of Texas, Surface Mining and Reclamation Division (Commission), is soliciting bids for the revegetation of approximately 295 acres at the Butler-Weddington (Area 2A) Abandoned Mine Land (AML) site as well as vegetation management on previously reclaimed Butler-Weddington (Area 1), Manka, and Smith AML project sites. The FY96 Uranium AML Revegetation Project will establish vegetative cover on bare ground resulting from a separate reclamation earthwork contract (Butler- Weddington (Area 2A) AML Regrade Project). Revegetation work is estimated to begin as early as the winter 1997. Maintenance of revegetated areas, in the form of shredding/mowing and herbicide application is also included in the scope of the Revegetation Project. As the designated state agency for implementation of the "Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 "(30 U.S.C.A. Section 1201 et seq), the Commission will award a unit price contract to the lowest and best bidder for completion of this work. Sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., November 13, 1996, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read at the address given below. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at the site at 11 a.m., October 30, 1996. Construction work items will include: 1)Mobilization 2)Seedbed Preparation 3)Fertilization 4)Seeding 5)Mulching 6)Vegetation Maintenance 7)Herbicide Application Copies of the specifications, drawings and other contract documents are on file in Austin at the following address. The complete bid package may be obtained from the following mailing address: FY96 Uranium AML Revegetation Project; Surface Mining and Reclamation Division; Railroad Commission of Texas; 1701 N. Congress Avenue; P.O. Box 12967 Austin, Texas 78711-2967; Attn: Melvin B. Hodgkiss, P.E., Director. All questions concerning the work or bid document must be received by 5:00 p.m., November 6, 1996. For further information contact Mark Rhodes at 305-8894. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1996. TRD-9614713 Mary Ross McDonald Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel Railroad Commission of Texas Filed: October 8, 1996 Texas Southern University Request for Proposal Texas Southern University invites you to submit a proposal to join with the University in developing improvements to the campus for housing. TSU in partnership with the private sector will develop high quality, affordable student housing on land owned by the University. A pre-submitted meeting will be held on October 23, 1996, at 2:00 p.m. CST at Texas Southern University's General Service Building, 3443 Blodgett Street, Room 217, Houston, Texas 77004. Proposal documents may be obtained from the Director of Purchasing at the above address. Sealed proposals for Student Housing Developing will be received by Bruce A. Wilson Director of Purchasing, Texas Southern University, Hannah Hall, Suite 103, Houston, Texas 77004, on December 12, 1996 prior to 3:00 p.m. CST. Texas Southern University reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to advertise for new proposals, or to accept any proposal deemed to be acceptable to Texas Southern University. The Request for Proposal is not construed as a contract or commitment of any kind. The Request for Proposal does not commit Texas Southern University to pay for any cost incurred in the submission of a proposal or for any cost incurred prior to the execution of a final contract. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1996. TRD-9614669 Bruce Wilson Purchasing Director Texas Southern University Filed: October 8, 1996 Texas A&M University System-Board of Regents Request for Proposal Investment Consultanting Services I. Introduction The Texas A&M University System is a federation of state universities and agencies focused on technology, science and management; enriched by the arts and humanities; serving students and citizens through education, leadership development, research and service. The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most renowned systems of higher education in the nation. With a presence in every county in the state, the A&M System consists of 10 universities and eight state agencies that serve 85,000 students and reach 3.5 million people each year through its service mission. Research projects underway today by System universities and research agencies total $378 million. With headquarters in College Station, about 90 miles northwest of Houston, the A&M System statewide network employs more than 20,000 full-time faculty and staff members. The A&M System's five state agricultural agencies focus on a variety of research and extension services. The three engineering agencies focus on research, technology transfer and workforce training for a more competitive state and nation. Our universities, located in Texas communities spanning from Amarillo to Laredo, offer Texans a premier source of education, training, leadership development, knowledge, and technology. Investments of the A&M System are pooled into two commingled investment funds: the Cash Concentration Pool and the System Endowment Fund. The Cash Concentration Pool (Pool) was established in 1990, for the management of institutional funds of the A&M system. The Pool is composed of three portfolios with a total market value at August 31, 1996, of $630 million. The Pool's three portfolios are divided as follows: $130 million in a Cash Portfolio - the Cash Portfolio is invested in maturities of one year or less; $150 million in a Liquidity Portfolio - this Portfolio has maturities of one to five years; and, $350 in a Long-Term Portfolio - the Long-Term Portfolio is divided equally with $175 million invested in equities and $195 million invested in fixed income securities with a weighted average maturity of seven years. The System Endowment Fund consists of any endowment funds donated to the Members of the A&M System, with the exception of Texas A&M University - College Station, which sends its endowment funds to the Texas A&M University Development Foundation unless otherwise specified. The long-term goal of the System Endowment Fund is to provide income for endowment beneficiaries while maintaining the purchasing power of the endowment in perpetuity. The asset allocation of the $200 million System Endowment Fund is 70% equities and 30% fixed income. The Board of Regents has granted to the Chancellor of the A&M System authority for the purchase, sale, assignment, transfer, and management over all investments belonging to the A&M System or its Members. The Chancellor also has the authority to delegate these powers and has delegated them to the Office of Treasury Services staff. The Office of Treasury Services handles the daily administration of investments. Purpose of RFP To solicit bids to provide investment consultant services to the A&M System Office of Treasury Services. This would include, but not be limited to, performance reports, asset allocation studies, manager searches, and assisting the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Treasurer in meeting the investment goals of the A&M System. II. Desired Role of Investment Consultants The over-riding purpose of the investment consultant is to provide advice and consultation to the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Treasurer on matters related to investments. The investment consultant will report to the Vice Chancellor for Business Services in a working partnership relationship on all investment matters. Any special projects for which the investment consultant will require additional compensation must be approved by the Chief Financial Officer of the A&M System. III. Desired Services to be Provided by Investment Consultant Provide performance measurement and evaluation reports quarterly for both the Pool and System Endowment Fund. These reports shall include return numbers, rankings against similar funds, risk/return analysis, and a policy index comparison. Annual asset allocation study for both the Pool and System Endowment Fund. Manager searches as requested. Assisting the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Treasurer in meeting the A&M System investment goals. The investment consultant will meet with the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Treasurer three times per year. Attend additional meetings of the Finance Committee of the Board of Regents and/or staff as needed. IV. Information to be Included in Bid Explain what experience and credentials will enable your firm to be an asset to the A&M System. What are the total assets under advisement? What are the demographics of the client base; average account size; retention rate? What percentage of your firm's total business function is strictly consulting to Endowment Funds. What are the credentials of your firm's success with similar type funds and include three references with similar type funds. In the last year, how many of the following type studies has your firm provided to clients and provide brief explanation of techniques utilized. 1. Asset Allocation 2. Manager Searches by Client 3. Trading Cost Analysis Provide examples of the firm's ability to evaluate a variety of asset classes. What resources are available to advisors to provide investment information to the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Treasurer? Provide examples of performance evaluation reports including available indices. Discuss your firm's availability/accessibility to the State of Texas. In an effort to minimize potential conflicts of interest, please disclose any investment management and/or brokerage services provided by your firm or its affiliates. V. Conflicts of Interest Firms shall in advance disclose any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest under State of Texas law. A Request For Proposal is being requested for Investment Consulting Services to be provided to The Texas A&M University System. For your firm to be considered, three copies of a proposal package must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., CST, October 31, 1996, at the following address: (Overnight Delivery) Attention: Mr. Gregory R. Anderson , Assistant Vice Chancellor and Treasurer Office of Treasury Services; The Texas A&M University System, 301 Tarrow, Room 409; College Station, Texas 77840; (By Mail) Zip Code 77843-1159 Your proposal will be evaluated by Treasury Services staff, and after their review, a group of investment consultant candidates will be invited via telephone to make presentations to personnel of The Texas A&M University System. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1996. TRD-9614758 Vickie Running Executive Secretary to the Board The Texas A&M University System-Board of Regents Filed: October 9, 1996 Texas Workforce Commission Notice of Public Hearing The Texas Workforce Commission has a legislative mandate to analyze whether block grant funding under sec.302.062 of the Labor Code should be extended to the programs exempted from block grant funding under Subsection (g) of that section. The Commission is required to report to the legislature and the governor by December 1, 1996. Therefore, the Commission will hold a public hearing on October 28, 1996, in Room 106 of the John H. Reagan State Office Building, 105 West 15th Street, Austin, Texas. Comments will be received from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following programs: programs to enhance the employment opportunities of veterans, including those described by sec.302.021(b)(1); the apprenticeship programs under Chapter 33 of the Education Code; school-to-work transition services as described by sec.302.021(b)(3); the community service program under the National and Community Service Act of 1990; the work and family policies program under Chapter 81; and the skills development fund created under Chapter 303. Comments will be received from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following programs: the reintegration of offenders program (Project RIO) under Chapter 306 and the continuity of care program under Section 501.095 of the Government Code; the trade adjustment assistance program under Part 2, Subchapter II, Trade Act of 1974; the job counseling program for displaced homemakers under Chapter 304; the employment programs under Chapter 31 of the Human Resources Code (mandatory work or participation in employment activities through JOBS and volunteer work experiences program and employment programs for those in need of financial assistance and services); and the State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee. Individuals who wish to testify at the hearing should sign in at the site. Speakers are encouraged to provide written copies of their testimony. Twenty- five copies are sufficient. Depending on the number of individuals who sign up to testify, testimony may be limited to three minutes per speaker. Persons who may need auxiliary aids, services or special accommodations, are requested to contact Carolyn Young at (512) 305-9649 three days prior to the hearing. For those unable to attend, written comments may be sent to the Texas Workforce Commission, Office of the Executive Director, 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78778-0001. Issued in Austin, Texas, on October 9, 1996. TRD-9614729 J. Ferris Duhon Legal Counsel Texas Workforce Commission Filed: October 9, 1996