MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
Thursday, January 24, 2002
8:30 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.028
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
was held on Thursday, January 24, 2002, in the Capitol
Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West Senator David Bernsen
Senator J. E. Brown Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Jeff Wentworth
Senator Mike Jackson
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.
The chair gave opening remarks.
The clerk called roll. There being a quorum present, the
following business was transacted:
Senator Duncan moved approval of the minutes from the previous
hearing held on November 5, 2002; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The chair laid out Charge 2: Study the judicial system's
revenue structure and make recommendations for improving the
collection, dispersal, and accounting of court costs, fees, and
fines by state and local entities. This study should include a
review of all court costs and fees (except those related to the
Crime Victims' Compensation Fund) to ensure that they are
necessary and are adequately fulfilling their intended purpose.
The following witnesses testified:
Verma Elliott, representing the Texas State Auditor's Office
Rene Henry, representing the Office of Court Administration
Mary Hawkins, representing the Office of the Texas Comptroller
Rod Dietz, representing the Office of the Texas Comptroller
Karen Kennard, representing the Texas Municipal League
Jim Allison, representing the County Judges and Commissioners
Association of Texas
Kathy Hynson, representing the County Treasurers Association of
Texas
John Danhill, representing the Conference of Urban Counties
Judge Joe Pirtle, representing the Texas Municipal Courts
Association
Margaret Robbins, representing the Texas Municipal Courts
Association
Suzanne Henderson, representing the County and District Clerks
Association of Texas
Jim Hamlin, representing the County and District Clerks
Association of Texas
Susan Spataro, representing the Texas County Financial Data
Advisory Committee
Stan Reid, representing the Texas Association of Counties
Judge Patricia Ott, representing the Justices of the Peace and
Constables Association
The following people registered but did not testify:
April Bacon, representing the Texas Association of County
Auditors
Howard Baldwin, representing the Office of the Attorney General
At 11:19 a.m. the chair announced that the Committee stand in
recess for ten minutes.
At 11:31 a.m. the Committee reconvened.
The chair laid out Charge 5: Monitor the implementation of SB
1074, 77th Legislature, relating to the prevention of racial
profiling by certain peace officers.
The following witnesses testified:
Chief Randy Elliston, representing the Texas Department of
Public Safety
Jim Dozier, representing the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
Officer Standards
At 11:49 a.m. Senator Duncan assumed the chair.
At 11:52 a.m. Senator West resumed the chair.
Dr. Craig Campbell, representing the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards
Commissioner Ray Hunt, representing the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards
Commissioner Onzelo Markum, representing self
Dan Contreras, representing the State Council on Competitive
Government
Will Harrell, representing ACLU, NAACP, LULAC, MALDEF, TCJRC
Rick Watson, representing Chief Terrell Bolton/Dallas Police
Department
Karen Kennard, representing the Texas Municipal League
Sheriff Dan Smith, representing self
Chris Heaton, representing the Texas Municipal Police
Association
The following people registered but did not testify:
Chief David Barber, representing the Hedwig Village Police
Department
Commissioner Claudia Bretz, representing the Texas Commission on
Law Enforcement Officer Standards
Chief Gary Brye, representing the Harris County Area Chiefs of
Police Association
William Jackson, representing the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
Sheriff Chris Kirk, representing the Sheriff's Association of
Texas
Chief Edward Laine, representing the Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education
James McLaughlin, representing the Texas Police Chiefs
Association
Stephen Sanders, representing the Houston Police Patrolmen's
Union
Commissioner Joe Stivers, representing the Texas Commission on
Law Enforcement Officer Standards
Charley Wilkison, representing the Combined Law Enforcement
Associations of Texas
The chair announced that the Senate Jurisprudence Committee will
hold the next hearing in Austin on February 21, 2002. The
Committee will discuss Charge 3 regarding the reapportionment of
judicial districts pursuant to Article V, Section 7a, Texas
Constitution.
There being no further business, at 2:02 p.m. Senator West moved
that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the
chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Royce West, Chair
______________________
Stephanie Hoover, Clerk