MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
Monday, April 12, 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, April 12, 1999 in the
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Chris Harris
Senator J. E. Brown Senator Gregory Luna
Senator Jeff Wentworth
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:30 pm. The
following business was transacted.
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Jeff Wentworth
The Chair laid out SB 1187 and recognized the author, Senator
Armbrister, to explain the bill.
At 4:33 pm Senator Brown assumed the chair.
Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
At 4:34 pm Senator Ellis resumed the chair.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Brown moved that SB 1187 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present
not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Brown moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 915 and recognized the author, Senator
Wentworth, to explain the bill.
Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Wentworth 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 Brown sent up a second committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Brown to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 915 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SJR 20 and recognized the author, Senator
Duncan, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Wentworth moved that SJR 20 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
The Chair laid out SB 412 and recognized the author, Senator
Duncan, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Wentworth moved that SB 412 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1436 and recognized the author, Senator
Duncan, to explain the bill.
Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Wentworth 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 Wentworth moved that SB 1436 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 263 and recognized the author, Senator
Duncan, to explain the bill.
Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator
Wentworth 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 Brown requested unanimous consent to incorporate an
amendment into the committee substitute; without objection,
it was so ordered.
Senator Brown moved that SB 263 do not pass but that CSSB 263,
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 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,
and 2 absent.
Senator Brown moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 265 and recognized the author, Senator
Duncan, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Wentworth moved that SB 265 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 436 and recognized the author, Senator
Nixon, to explain the bill.
Senator Brown sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Nixon to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Brown
moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,
it was so ordered.
Senator Brown sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Brown sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Brown sent up Committee Amendment 3 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Senator Brown sent up Committee Amendment 4 and moved
adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Brown requested unanimous consent to incorporate
amendments into the committee substitute. Senator Brown moved
that SB 436 do not pass but that CSSB 436, 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 3
ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Brown moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
The Chair laid out SCR 18 and recognized the author, Senator
Nixon, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Wentworth moved that SCR 18 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
The Chair laid out SCR 33 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 moved that SCR 33 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 851 and recognized Senator Wentworth, in
the absence of the author, to explain the bill.
Senator Wentworth sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Wentworth moved adoption of the committee substitute,
without objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Wentworth moved that SB 851 do not pass but that CSSB
851 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:32 pm Senator Brown assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 1230, left pending from a previous
hearing, 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 SB 1230 do not pass but that CSSB
1230 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation
that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a
vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 2 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 HB 1136 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that HB 1136 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present
not voting, and 2 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 HB 1142 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Ellis, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that HB 1142 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present
not voting, and 2 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 SB 1706 and recognized the author, Senator
Ellis, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 1706 be reported favorably to the
Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.
The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present
not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
At 5:38 pm Senator Ellis resumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 994 and recognized the author, Senator
Lindsay, to explain the bill.
Senator Brown sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Lindsay to explain the difference between
the committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Brown
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 SB 994 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:50 pm Senator Harris assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out HB 777 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying
and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Wentworth moved that HB 777 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out HB 1605 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying
and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.
Senator Wentworth moved that HB 1605 be reported favorably to
the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be
printed. The motion carried with a vote of 3 ayes, 0 nays, 0
present not voting, and 2 absent.
Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for
placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without
objection, it was so ordered.
At 5:53 pm Senator Brown assumed the chair.
The Chair laid out SB 368 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 requested unanimous consent to incorporate an
amendment into the committee substitute.
At 5:55 pm Senator Ellis resumed the chair.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Harris moved that SB 368 do not pass but that CSSB
368, 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.
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 HB 1348 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
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.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Harris moved that HB 1348 do not pass but that CSHB
1348 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 HB 797 and recognized the Senate sponsor,
Senator Harris, to explain the bill.
Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on
the attached list.
Senator Harris moved that HB 797 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.
The Chair laid out SB 1011 and recognized the author, Senator
Brown, to explain the bill.
Senator Brown sent up a committee substitute; the Chair
recognized Senator Brown to explain the difference between the
committee substitute and the bill as filed. Senator Brown
moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,
it was so ordered.
The Chair laid out SB 1366 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.
Witnesses testifying and registering on SB 1011 and SB 1366
are shown on the attached list. The witnesses for both bills
were divided into two panels; those testifying for the bill
and those testifying against the bill. Each panel was given
thirty minutes to present testimony.
Senator Harris moved that a letter from Linda C. Baker be
made a part of the record; without objection it was so
ordered.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 1011 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
Senator Ellis moved that SB 1366 be left pending; without
objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 7:30 pm Senator Ellis
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair.
The Chair called the meeting back to order at 12:05 pm, April
13, 1999, at Senator Ellis' Desk.
Senator Harris moved that SB 1011 do not pass but that CSSB
1011 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.
Senator Brown moved that SB 1366 do not pass but that CSSB
1366 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 Brown moved that the bill be recommended for placement
on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was
so ordered.
There being no further business, at 12:07 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
______________________
Kenneth Besserman , Clerk