House Committee on Judicial Affairs 
         75th Legislature 
         April 2, 1997 
         2:00 pm or upon adjournment 
         Capitol Extension, E2.016 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted on March 27, 1997, the House  
         Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a public hearing and was  
         called to order by the Chair, Representative Senfronia  
         Thompson at 2:20 pm. 
          
         The roll was answered as follows:   
          
         Present:  Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark; Garcia;  
                   Luna, Vilma; Shields; Zbranek (7). 
          
         Absent:   Representatives Crabb; Solis (2). 
          
         A quorum was present. 
          
         HB 1704 by Rep. Keffer & HB 1706 by Rep. Keffer 
          
         The chair laid out HB 1704 & HB 1706 and recognized the  
         author, Rep. Keffer, to explain. 
          
         The chair moved that HB 1704 & HB 1706 be left pending.  HB  
         1704 & HB 1706 were left pending without objection.  
          
         HB 444 by Rep. Longoria 
          
         The chair laid out HB 444 and recognized the author, Rep.  
         Longoria, to explain. 
          
         Representative Shields offered committee amendment #1.  There  
         being no objection, the chair laid out amendment #1 and  
         recognized Rep. Longoria to explain. 
          
         Without objection, the chair moved to withdraw amendment #1. 
          
         The chair swore in all witnesses. 
          
         Testimony was taken. 
          
         The chair recognized Rep. Longoria to close. 
          
         The chair moved to leave HB 444 pending.  There were no  
         objections.  
          
         HB 787 by Rep. Gallego & HJR 62 by Rep. Gallego 
          
         The chair laid out HB 787 and HJR 62 and recognized the  
         author, Rep. Gallego, to explain. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         Representative Clark moved that HJR 62 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark;  
                        Garcia; Luna, Vilma; Shields; Zbranek   (7). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Crabb; Solis (2). 
          
         Representative Clark moved that HB 787 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark;  
                        Garcia; Luna, Vilma; Shields; Zbranek (7). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Crabb; Solis (2). 
          
         HB 2917 by Rep. Berlanga 
          
         The chair laid out HB 2917 and recognized the author, Rep.  
         Berlanga, to explain. 
          
         Representative V. Luna offered an amendment #1.  There being  
         no objection, the chair laid out amendment #1 and recognized  
         Rep. Berlanga to explain. 
          
         Without objection, the chair moved to withdraw amendment #1. 
          
         Testimony was taken. 
          
         (Representative Hartnett in chair.)   
          
         (Representative Thompson in chair.)   
          
         Further testimony was taken.   
          
         (Representative Solis now present.)   
          
         Further testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair recognized Rep. Berlanga to close.   
          
         The chair moved to leave HB 2917 pending. HB 2917 was left  
         pending without objection.  
          
          SB 726 by Sen. Shapleigh (Moreno) 
          
         The chair laid out SB 726. 
          
         (Representative Hartnett in chair.)   
          
         The chair recognized Rep. Moreno to explain.   
  
         Representative Shields moved that SB 726 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent  
         Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Hartnett; Clark; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Thompson; Crabb; Garcia (3). 
          
         SB 400 by Sen. Nelson (Horn) 
          
         The chair laid out SB 400 and recognized Rep. Horn to explain. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair recognized Rep. Horn to close. 
          
         The chair moved to leave SB 400 pending. SB 400 was left  
         pending without objection.  
          
           HB 2280 by Rep. Clark and HJR 87 by Rep. Clark 
          
         The chair laid out HB 2280 and HJR 87 and recognized the  
         author, Rep. Clark, to explain. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair recognized Representative Clark to close. 
          
         Representative Clark moved that HB 2280 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
         Ayes:          Representatives Hartnett; Clark; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Zbranek   (5). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Thompson; Crabb; Garcia; Solis  
                        (4). 
          
         Representative Clark moved that HJR 87 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Hartnett; Clark; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Zbranek   (5). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Thompson; Crabb; Garcia; Solis  
                        (4). 
          
         SB 401 by Sen. Zaffirini (Raymond)  
  
         The chair laid out SB 401 and recognized Rep. Raymond to  
         explain. 
          
         Representative Garcia moved that SB 401 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent  
         Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Hartnett; Garcia; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Zbranek   (5). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Thompson; Clark; Crabb; Solis  
                        (4). 
          
         HB 1291 by Rep. Solomons 
          
         The chair laid out HB 1291 and recognized the author, Rep.  
         Solomons, to explain. 
          
         Representative Hartnett, chair, offered and laid out a  
         complete committee substitute and recognized Rep. Solomons to  
         explain.   
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         Without objection, the chair moved to withdraw the committee  
         substitute to HB 1291. 
          
         The chair moved to leave HB 1291 pending.  HB 1291 was left  
         pending without objection.  
          
         SB 611 by Sen. Carona (Garcia) 
          
         The chair laid out SB 611 and recognized Rep. Garcia to  
         explain. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair recognized Representative Garcia to close.   
          
         Representative Garcia moved that SB 611 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent  
         Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Hartnett; Garcia; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek   (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Thompson; Clark; Crabb (3). 
          
         HB 1317 by Rep. Naishtat 
          
         The chair recalled HB 1317 from subcommittee.   
          
         The chair laid out HB 1317. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair moved to leave HB 1317 pending.  HB 1317 was left  
         pending without objection.  
          
         HB 1688 by Rep. Kuempel 
          
         The chair laid out HB 1688, which was left pending at the  
         committee's March 26th meeting, and explained. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         Representative Hartnett moved that HB 1688 be reported  
         favorably to the full house with the recommendation that it do  
         pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and  
         Consent Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the following  
         vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Hartnett; Garcia; Shields;  
                        Solis; Zbranek   (5). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Thompson; Clark; Crabb; Luna,  
                        Vilma (4). 
          
         HB 3504 by Rep. Kamel 
          
         The chair laid out HB 3504, which was left pending at the  
         Committee's March 26th meeting, and explained.   
          
         Representative Hartnett moved that HB 3504 be reported  
         favorably to the full house with the recommendation that it do  
         pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and  
         Consent Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the following  
         vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Hartnett; Garcia; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Thompson; Clark; Crabb (3). 
          
         HB 259 by Rep. Buddy West 
          
         The chair laid out HB 259, which was left pending at the  
         Committee's March 12th meeting, and recognized Rep. Zbranek to  
         explain. 
          
         Rep. Zbranek offered committee amendment #1.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #1 and recognized Rep.  
         Zbranek to explain. 
  
         Rep. Zbranek moved adoption of amendment #1.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Rep. Zbranek offered committee amendment #2.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #2 and recognized Rep.  
         Zbranek to explain. 
          
         Rep. Zbranek moved adoption of amendment #2.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Rep. Zbranek offered committee amendment #3.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #3 and recognized Rep.  
         Zbranek to explain. 
          
         Rep. Zbranek moved adoption of amendment #3.  There were no  
         objections. 
             
         Representative Zbranek moved that HB 259, as amended, be  
         reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on  
         Local and Consent Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Garcia;  
                        Luna, Vilma; Shields; Zbranek (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Clark; Crabb; Solis (3). 
          
         SB 263 by Sen. Zaffirini (Cuellar/Shields)  
          
         The chair recalled SB 263 from subcommittee. 
          
         The chair laid out SB 263 and recognized Rep. Shields to  
         explain. 
          
         Rep. Shields offered a complete committee substitute.  There  
         being no objection, the chair laid out C.S.S.B. 263  and  
         recognized Rep. Shields to explain. 
          
         Rep. Shields moved to adopt the substitute to SB 263.  There  
         were no objections. 
          
         Representative Shields moved that SB 263, as substituted, be  
         reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on  
         Local and Consent Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Garcia;  
                        Luna, Vilma; Shields; Solis; Zbranek   (7). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Clark; Crabb (2). 
  
         HB 696 by Rep. Dutton & HB 697 by Rep. Dutton 
          
         The chair recalled HB 696 & HB 697 from subcommittee.   
          
         The chair laid out HB 696 & HB 697 and recognized Rep. Zbranek  
         to explain. 
          
         Rep. Zbranek offered a complete committee substitute to HB  
         696.  There being no objection, the chair laid out C.S.H.B.  
         696  and recognized Rep. Zbranek to explain. 
          
         Rep. Zbranek moved to adopt the substitute to HB 696.  There  
         were no objections. 
          
         Representative Zbranek moved that HB 696, as substituted, be  
         reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on  
         Local and Consent Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark;  
                        Garcia; Luna, Vilma; Shields; Solis; Zbranek    
                        (8). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representative Crabb (1). 
          
         (Representative Thompson in chair.)   
          
         Representative Zbranek moved that HB 697 be reported favorably  
         to the full house with the recommendation that it do pass and  
         be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark;  
                        Garcia; Luna, Vilma; Shields; Solis; Zbranek    
                        (8). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representative Crabb (1). 
          
         HB 2007 by Rep. Thompson 
          
         The chair recalled HB 2007 from subcommittee.   
          
         The chair laid out HB 2007. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair moved to leave HB 2007 pending.  HB 2007 was left  
         pending without objection.  
          
         SB 415 by Sen. Brown (Olivo/et al) 
          
         The chair recalled SB 415 from subcommittee.   
          
         The chair laid out SB 415. 
          
         Rep. Solis offered a complete committee substitute.  There  
         being no objection, the chair laid out C.S.S.B. 415  and  
         recognized Rep. Solis to explain. 
          
         Rep. Solis moved to adopt the substitute to SB 415.  There  
         were no objections. 
          
         Representative Luna moved that SB 415, as substituted, be  
         reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on  
         Local and Consent Calendars.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Clark; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek   (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Crabb; Hartnett; Garcia (3). 
          
         HB 2419 by Rep. Hilbert 
          
         The chair laid out HB 2419 and recognized the author, Rep.  
         Hilbert, to explain. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair recognized Rep. Hilbert to close. 
          
         The chair moved to leave HB 2419 pending.  HB 2419 was left  
         pending without objection.  
          
           (Representative Zbranek in chair.)   
          
         HB 2270 by Rep. Thompson 
          
         The chair laid out HB 2270 and recognized the author, Rep.  
         Thompson, to explain. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
          Rep. Hartnett offered committee amendment #1.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #1 and recognized Rep.  
         Hartnett to explain. 
          
         Rep. Hartnett moved adoption of amendment #1.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Rep. Hartnett offered committee amendment #2.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #2 and recognized Rep.  
         Hartnett to explain. 
          
         Rep. Hartnett moved adoption of amendment #2.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Rep. Hartnett offered committee amendment #3.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #3 and recognized Rep.  
         Hartnett to explain. 
          
         Rep. Hartnett moved adoption of amendment #3.  There were no  
         objections. 
              
         Representative Hartnett moved that HB 2270, as amended, be  
         reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Crabb; Garcia; Luna, Vilma (3). 
          
         (Representative Hartnett in chair.)   
          
         HB 2009 by Rep. Thompson 
          
         The chair recalled HB 2009 from subcommittee.   
          
         The chair laid out HB 2009.  SB 506 is the companion doc to HB  
         2009 and was over and eligible.  The chair laid out SB 506 in  
         lieu of HB 2009. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         Representative Hartnett moved that SB 506 be reported  
         favorably to the full house with the recommendation that it do  
         pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the following  
         vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek  (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Crabb; Garcia; Luna, Vilma (3). 
          
         HB 2273 by Rep. Thompson 
          
         The chair laid out HB 2273 and recognized the author, Rep.  
         Thompson, to explain. 
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         Rep. Solis offered committee amendment #1.  There being no  
  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #1 and recognized Rep.  
         Solis to explain. 
          
         Rep. Solis moved adoption of amendment #1.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Rep. Solis offered committee amendment #2.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #2. 
           
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         Rep. Solis moved adoption of amendment #2.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Representative Solis moved that HB 2273, as amended, be  
         reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Hartnett; Clark;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek  (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Crabb; Garcia; Luna, Vilma (3). 
          
         HB 1516 by Rep. Thompson 
         The chair laid out HB 1516, which was left pending at the  
         Committee's March 26th meeting, and recognized the author,  
         Rep. Thompson, to explain. 
          
          Rep. Solis offered committee amendment #1.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #1 and recognized Rep.  
         Solis to explain. 
          
         Rep. Solis moved adoption of amendment #1.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Rep. Solis offered committee amendment #2.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #2 and recognized Rep.  
         Solis to explain. 
          
         Rep. Solis moved adoption of amendment #2.  There were no  
         objections. 
          
         Rep. Solis offered committee amendment #3.  There being no  
         objection, the chair laid out amendment #3 and recognized Rep.  
         Solis to explain. 
          
         Rep. Solis moved adoption of amendment #3.  There were no  
         objections. 
                
         Representative Solis moved that HB 1516, as amended, be  
         reported favorably to the full house with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
  
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Clark; Shields;  
                        Solis; Zbranek (5). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      Representative Hartnett (1). 
         Absent:        Representatives Crabb; Garcia; Luna, Vilma (3). 
          
         HB 2309 by Rep. Thompson 
          
         The chair laid out HB 2309 and recognized the author, Rep.  
         Thompson, to explain.   
          
         Testimony was taken.   
          
         The chair moved to leave HB 2309 pending. HB 2309 was left  
         pending without objection.  
          
         There being no further business, the chair moved that the  
         committee stand adjourn.  There being no objection, the  
         Committee on Judicial Affairs adjourned at 7:32 pm. 
          
         _______________________________ 
         Rep. Will Hartnett, Vice Chairman 
          
         ______________________________ 
         Milda Mora, Chief Clerk