BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2677 By: Hunter, Todd 5-8-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Charitable organizations receive limited liability protection. Damages against charitable organizations are limited to $100,000 per occurrence. PURPOSE This legislation places local chambers of commerce under the definition of charitable organizations for liability purposes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION SECTION 1. Include in the definition of "charitable organization" a chamber of commerce organized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(6) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. SECTION 2. Establishes the effective date on September 1, 1993. applies only to prospective causes of action. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION House Bill 2677 was considered by the Committee on Civil Practices in a public hearing on March 29, 1995. The following individuals testified in support of the bill: Arthur A. Roberts, representing the Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce; E.S. "Stew" Darsey, representing himself and the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce; Paul Hindelang, representing himself, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives; Kory Wallace, representing himself and the Taylor Chamber of Commerce; Linda Bowman, representing herself and the Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives; and Chris Shields, representing the Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce. The following individuals testified in opposition to the bill: Mike Slack, attorney, representing himself and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. No one testified neutrally on the bill. The chair left the bill pending. The committee considered H.B. 2677 in a formal meeting on May 8, 1995. The chair left the bill pending. H.B. 2677 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on May 8, 1995. The committee considered two amendments to the bill. Both of those amendments failed adoption by a record vote of one aye, five nays, zero pnv and three absent. The bill was reported favorably, without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of five ayes, one nay, zero pnv and three absent.