MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
9:30 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.012
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public meeting of the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence
was held on Wednesday, August 25, 2004, in the Capitol
Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Mario Gallegos,
Jr.
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Kip Averitt
Senator Chris Harris Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Royce West
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. The
Committee was in recess from the previous meeting.
The chair gave opening remarks.
The chair laid out Charge 1: Study the jurisdiction of all
local and state courts, including civil and criminal justice
courts. Make recommendations for changes to any court's
jurisdiction to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the
judicial system. Review and make recommendations relating to
concurrent jurisdiction of county courts at law and district
courts over eminent domain proceedings.
The following witness testified:
Chief Justice Tom Phillips, representing Self
The clerk called roll. There was a quorum present.
Senator Harris moved approval of the minutes from the previous
meeting held on May 6, 2004; without objection, it was so
ordered.
The following witnesses testified:
Justice Scott Brister, representing the Texas Supreme Court
Judge Sharon Keller, representing the Court of Criminal Appeals
Justice Kenneth Law, representing the Intermediate Courts of
Appeal
Judge Stephen Ables, representing the Administrative Judges
Judge Mark Atkinson, representing the County Courts at Law of
Texas
At 11:15 a.m. Senator Duncan assumed the chair.
The following witness testified:
Justice David Cobos, representing the Justice Courts
At 11:27 a.m. Senator Wentworth resumed the chair.
The following witnesses testified:
Judge Robin Ramsay, representing Municipal Judges
Cathy Sisk, representing Harris County
H. Dixon Montague, representing Self
Judge Orlinda Naranjo, representing Self
Randy Ward, representing the Texas Department of Transportation
(Right of Way Division)
At 12:25 p.m. Senator Wentworth moved that the committee stand
recessed until 1:30 p.m.; without objection, it was so ordered.
At 1:32 p.m. the committee reconvened.
The chair laid out Charge 3: Study arbitration statutes and the
role of the American Arbitration Association. Specifically, the
Committee shall make recommendations to improve and ensure the
efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness of arbitrators and
arbitrations.
The following witnesses testified:
John Fleming, representing Self
Richard Naimark, representing the American Arbitration
Association
Kim Lawrence, representing the Better Business Bureau of
Metropolitan Houston, Inc.
Stephen Thomas, representing the Texas Residential Construction
Commission
John Cobarruvias, representing Homeowners Against Deficient
Dwellings
Susan Duvso, representing the Texas Residential Construction
Commission
Bobby Bowling, representing Self and the Texas Association of
Builders
Steve Henry, representing Self
William H. Lemons III, representing Self
Ron Moss, representing Texans for Lawsuit Reform
Mark Eberwine, representing public
The following witness registered but did not testify:
Reggie James, representing Consumers Union
There being no further business, at 4:17 p.m. Senator Duncan
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
Minutes
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
page 3
____________________________
Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair
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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk