MINUTES
         
                        SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
                             Monday, March 24, 1997
                                     1:30 pm
                          Capitol Building, Room 2E.20
         
                                      *****
         
         
         
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on 
         Jurisprudence was held on Monday, March 24, 1997 in the 
         Capitol Building, Room 2E.20, at Austin, Texas.  
         
                                      *****
         
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT:
         Senator Rodney Ellis                    None
         Senator Chris Harris
         Senator David Cain
         Senator Robert Duncan
         Senator Gregory Luna
         Senator Steve Ogden
         Senator Jeff Wentworth
         
                                      *****
         
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:39 pm.  There being 
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
         
         The following members arrived after the roll was called: 
         Senator Cain, Senator Duncan and Senator Wentworth.
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 619 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Harris, to explain the bill.  
         Senator Harris moved that SB 619 be reported favorably to the 
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be 
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 
         present not voting, and 0 absent.  
         Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to certify the 
         bill for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it 
         was so ordered.  
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 202 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Harris, to explain the bill.  
         Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Harris to explain the difference between 
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator 
         Harris moved adoption of the committee substitute, without 
         objection, it was so ordered.
         Senator Harris moved that SB 202 do not pass but that CSSB 202 
 
         





         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it 
         do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
         Senator Harris requested unanimous consent to certify the bill 
         for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 797 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Harris, to explain the bill.  Senator Harris sent up a 
         committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator Harris to 
         explain the difference between the committee substitute and 
         the bill as filed.  Senator Harris moved adoption of the 
         committee substitute, without objection, it was so ordered.
         Senator Harris moved that SB 797 do not pass but that CSSB 797 
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it 
         do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
         Senator Harris requested unanimous consent to certify the bill 
         for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 887 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Harris, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Harris sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved 
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  
         Senator Harris moved that SB 887, as amended, be reported back 
         to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be 
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 
         present not voting, and 0 absent.
         Senator Harris requested unanimous consent to certify the bill 
         for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  
          
         
         The Chair laid out SB 998 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Harris, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Harris to explain the difference between 
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator 
         Harris moved adoption of the committee substitute, without 
         objection, it was so ordered.
         Senator Harris moved that SB 998 do not pass but that CSSB 998 
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it 
         do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         
         The Chair laid out SB 997 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Harris, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
 
         





         the attached list.  
         Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Harris to explain the difference between 
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator 
         Harris moved adoption of the committee substitute, without 
         objection, it was so ordered.
         Senator Harris moved that SB 997 do not pass but that CSSB 997 
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it 
         do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 999 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Fraser, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Fraser to explain the difference between 
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator 
         Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute, without 
         objection, it was so ordered.
         The Chair referred SB 999 to subcommittee for further 
         consideration.  The Chair appointed Senator Luna as Chair of 
         the subcommittee and Senators Duncan and Wentworth as members 
         of the subcommittee.
         
         The Chair laid out SB 838 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Duncan, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between 
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator 
         Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute, without 
         objection, it was so ordered.
         Senator Ellis moved that SB 838 be left pending; without 
         objection, it was so ordered.
         
         The Chair laid out SB 889 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Haywood, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         The Chair referred SB 889 to subcommittee for further 
         consideration.  The Chair appointed Senator Ogden as Chair of 
         the subcommittee and Senators Cain and Luna as members of the 
         subcommittee.
         
         Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to be shown 
         voting "aye" on SB 619, CSSB 202,  SB 797, SB 887, CSSB 998 
         and CSSB 997.
         
         Senator Cain requested unanimous consent to be shown voting 
         "aye" on SB 619, CSSB 202, SB 797 and SB 887.
         
         Senator Ogden requested unanimous consent to be shown voting 
 
         





         "aye" on SB 619, CSSB 202 and SB 797.
         
         At 2:33 pm Senator Cain assumed the chair.  
         
         The Chair laid out SB 34 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Zaffirini, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         Senator Ogden sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Zaffirini to explain the difference between 
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.
         At 2:40 pm Senator Ellis resumed the chair.  
         The Chair moved that SB 34 be left pending to await a quorum; 
         without objection it was so ordered.  
         
         The Chair laid out SB 947 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Patterson, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         The Chair moved that SB 947 be left pending to await a quorum; 
         without objection it was so ordered. 
         
         The Chair laid out SB 857 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Shapleigh, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Ogden sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Shapleigh to explain the difference between 
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Ogden 
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection, 
         it was so ordered.  
         
         There being a quorum present the following business was 
         transacted.
         
         Senator Ogden moved that SB 857 do not pass but that CSSB 857 
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it 
         do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 7 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         
         The Chair laid out CSSB 181 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Shapiro, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         Senator Ogden sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved 
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  
         Senator Ogden sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved 
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  
         Senator Ogden requested unanimous consent to incorporate 
         amendments into the committee substitute.  Senator Ogden then 
         moved that the new committee substitute be adopted.  Senator 
         Ogden moved that SB 181 do not pass but that CSSB 181 be 
         reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do 
         pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  
 
         





         
         The chair laid out CSSB 34, Senator Wentworth moved adoption 
         of the committee substitute, without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  Senator Wentworth moved that SB 34 do not pass but 
         that CSSB 34 be reported back to the Senate with the 
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion 
         carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, 
         and 0 absent.   
         
         
         The chair laid SB 947 and recognized the author.  Senator 
         Ogden sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized 
         Senator Patterson to explain the difference between the 
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Ogden 
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection, 
         it was so ordered.
         Senator Ogden moved that SB 947 do not pass but that CSSB 947 
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it 
         do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 6 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.  Senator 
         Ellis requested unanimous consent to certify the bill for 
         Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  
           
         The Chair laid out SB 878 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Sibley, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Ellis moved that SB 878 be left pending; without 
         objection, it was so ordered.
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 702 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Moncrief, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Wentworth moved that SB 702 be reported favorably to 
         the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be 
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 
         present not voting, and 0 absent.  
         Senator Cain requested unanimous consent to certify the bill 
         for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  
         
         The Chair laid out SB 1083 and recognized Senator Wentworth, 
         in the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Wentworth moved that SB 1083 be reported favorably to 
         the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be 
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  
         Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to certify the 
         bill for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it 
         was so ordered.  
 
         





         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 911 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Cain, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Cain sent up a committee substitute; the Chair 
         recognized Senator Cain to explain the difference between the 
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Cain 
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection, 
         it was so ordered.
         Senator Cain moved that SB 911 do not pass but that CSSB 911 
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it 
         do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 6 
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.    
         Senator Cain requested unanimous consent to certify the bill 
         for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 912 and recognized the author, Senator 
         Cain, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached 
         list.  
         Senator Cain moved that SB 912 be reported favorably to the 
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be 
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 
         present not voting, and 0 absent.  
         Senator Cain requested unanimous consent to certify the bill 
         for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so 
         ordered.  
         
         Senator Luna requested unanimous consent to be shown voting 
         "aye" on CSSB 34, CSSB 857, SB 702 and SB 912.
         
         
         The Chair laid out SB 923 and recognized Senator Wentworth, in 
         the absence of the author, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved 
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  
         The Chair referred SB 923 to subcommittee for further 
         consideration.  The Chair appointed Senator Harris as Chair of 
         the subcommittee and Senators Cain and Luna as members of the 
         subcommittee.
         
         
         The Chair laid out HB 1185 and recognized the Senate sponsor, 
         Senator Armbrister, to explain the bill.  
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on 
         the attached list.  
         Senator Ogden sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved 
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  
         Senator Ogden moved that HB 1185, as amended, be reported back 
 
         





         to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be 
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 
         present not voting, and 1 absent.  
         
         Senator Harris requested unanimous consent to be shown voting 
         "aye" on CSSB 34, CSSB 947, CSSB 857, CSSB 181 as amended, SB 
         702, SB 1083, CSSB 911, SB 912 and HB 1185.
         
         Senator Duncan request unanimous consent to be shown voting 
         "aye" on CSSB 34, CSSB 947, CSSB 857, CSSB 181 as amended, SB 
         702, SB 1083, CSSB 911, HB 1185.
          
         There being no further business, at 4:19 pm Senator Ellis 
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of 
         the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.  
         
         
         
         
         
         _________________________
         Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair
         
         
         _________________________
         Helen Gonz lez, Clerk