MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
Monday, March 8, 1999
3:30 pm
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
Jurisprudence was held on Monday, March 8, 1999 in the Capitol
Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Rodney Ellis Senator J. E. Brown
Senator Chris Harris Senator Gregory Luna
Senator Jeff Wentworth
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:21 pm. The
following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator J. E. Brown
Senator Gregory Luna
Senator Jeff Wentworth
The Chair laid out SB 610 and recognized the author, Senator
Ogden, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 610 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 195 and recognized the author, Senator
Cain, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 195 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 548 and recognized the author, Senator
Harris, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 548 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 474 and recognized the author, Senator
Shapleigh, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 474 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Harris assumed the Chair at 2:32 pm.
The Chair laid out SB 159 and recognized Senator Ellis, in the
absence of the author, to explain the bill. Witnesses
testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the
attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 159 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 321 and recognized the author, Senator
Ellis, to explain the bill.
Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Ellis
moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,
it was so ordered.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that be reported favorably to the Senate
with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The
motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not
voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SCR 14 and recognized the author, Senator
Ellis, to explain the bill.
Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Ellis moved that SCR 14, 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 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 1 absent.
The Chair recognized Senator Ellis on SB 243 which was left
pending from a previous hearing.
Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Ellis
moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,
it was so ordered.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 243 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present
not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
At 2:35 pm Senator Ellis resumed the chair.
The Chair recognized Senator Carona on SB 160 which was left
pending from a previous hearing.
Senator Harris sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Carona 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 160 do not pass but that CSSB 160
be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 4
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Harris moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 469 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 moved that SB 469 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present
not voting, and 1 absent.
Senator Harris moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 2:40 pm Senator Harris assumed the chair.
At 2:40 pm Senator Harris moved that the Committee stand
recessed until 3:30 pm.
Senator Ellis resumed the Chair at 3:36 pm and called the
meeting to order.
Public testimony was reopened on SB 207 and SB 208 which were
left pending at the March 8, 1999 Jurisprudence Committee
hearing.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
The Chair referred SB 207 and SB 208 to the Subcommittee on SB
207 and SB 208 for further consideration. The Chair appointed
Senator Harris as Chair of the subcommittee and Senators Brown
and Luna as members of the subcommittee.
At 4:10 pm Senator Harris assumed the chair.
The Chair recognized Senator Ellis on CSSB230 which was left
pending at a previous hearing.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 230 do not pass but that CSSB 230
be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it
do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote of 5
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that he be shown voting Aye on SCR 14,
SB 321, SB 469, SB 160 and SB 243, without objection it was so
ordered.
There being no further business, at 4:13 pm Senator Ellis
moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it
was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair
______________________
Kenneth Besserman, Clerk