MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Tuesday, March 18, 1997
9:00 am
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Criminal
Justice was held on Tuesday, March 18, 1997 in the Capitol
Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Jane Nelson
Senator Jerry Patterson
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Royce West
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Robert Duncan
The Chair recognized Senator Patterson for a motion to adopt
the previous meetings minutes; without objection it was so
ordered.
SB 526 by Patterson
The Chair laid out SB 526 and recognized the author, Senator
Patterson, to explain the bill.
Senator Nelson sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Patterson to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. The Chair
delayed the adoption of the committee substitute until it
could be copied and distributed to the members.
Mark Clark, representing Combined Law Enforcement Association
of Texas, testified in favor of the bill.
William J. Carollo, representing Dallas Police Association,
registered in favor of the bill, but did not testify.
Hans Marticiuc, representing Houston Police Officers Union,
registered in favor of the bill, but did not testify.
SB 298 by Ratliff
The Chair laid out SB 298 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
Judge William R. Porter, representing 276th District Court,
testified in favor of the bill.
Judge Jimmy L. White, representing self, testified in favor of
the bill.
Chuck Bailey, District Attorney for 276th District Court,
testified in favor of the bill.
Senator Shapiro moved that SB 298 be reported favorably to the
full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 1 nay, 1
present not voting, and 1 absent.
SB 299 by Ratliff
The Chair laid out SB 299 and recognized the author, Senator
Ratliff, to explain the bill.
Pat Cole, representing Texas Council on Family Violence,
registered in favor of the bill, but did not testify.
Judge William R. Porter, representing 276th District Court,
testified in favor of the bill.
Senator West moved that SB 299 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 West requested unanimous consent to certify the bill
for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The Chair directed that the record reflect that Senator Duncan
be shown present.
SB 324 by Armbrister
The Chair laid out SB 324 and recognized the author, Senator
Armbrister, to explain the bill.
The Chair called for public testimony, there being none,
public testimony was closed.
Senator Shapiro moved that SB 324 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 Shapiro requested unanimous consent to certify the
bill for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it
was so ordered.
SB by 580 by Duncan
The Chair laid out SB 580 and recognized the author, Senator
Duncan, to explain the bill.
The Chair called for public testimony, there being none,
public testimony was closed.
Senator Duncan moved that SB 580 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 Shapiro requested unanimous consent to certify the
bill for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it
was so ordered.
SB by 526 by Patterson
Senator West moved adoption of Committee Substitute of Senate
Bill 526; without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator West moved that SB 526 do not pass but that CSSB 526
be reported back to the Senate with 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 Shapiro requested unanimous consent to certify the
bill for Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it
was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 9:50 am Senator Whitmire
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator John Whitmire, Chair
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