MINUTES 
                                           
             SENATE COMMITTEE ON WORKERS' COMPENSATION, SELECT INTERIM 
                             Thursday, August 26, 2004 
                                     8:30 a.m. 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.036 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Workers'  
         Compensation, Select Interim was held on Thursday, August 26,  
         2004, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Todd Staples                    Senator Craig Estes 
         Senator John Carona 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Juan Hinojosa 
         Senator Kyle Janek 
         Senator Frank Madla 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
         Senator Royce West 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         A joint hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Workers'  
         Compensation and the House Committee on Business and Industry  
         was held. Chairman Staples and Chairwoman Giddings shared  
         presiding duties. 
          
         At 8:44 a.m. Chairman Staples called the Senate Select Committee  
         on Workers' Compensation to order. Committee Clerk called the  
         roll, with 5 members being present a quorum was established.   
          
         At 8:45 a.m. Chairwoman Giddings called the House Committee on  
         Business and Industry to order.  Committee Clerk called the  
         roll, with no quorum being present the hearing continued. 
          
         Opening remarks by both Chairpersons regarding Workers'  
         Compensation in the State of Texas. 
          
         Chairman Staples asked adoption of the Senate Select Committee  
         on Workers' Compensation minutes from the April 29, 2004  
         hearing. 
          
         Senator Nelson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous  
         hearing held on April 29, 2004; without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         Chairman Staples opened all seven interim charges for the Senate  
         Select Committee on Workers'  
         Compensation for public testimony.  Chairwoman Giddings opened all six interim charges of the House  
         Committee on Business and Industry for public testimony. 
          
         Invited followed by public testimony followed.  Witnesses registering and/or testifying are shown on the  
         attached list. 
          
         Senator Madla present at 9:04 a.m. 
          
         Senator Janek present at 9:06 a.m. 
          
         Senator Hinojosa present at 9:16 a.m. 
          
         At 2:22 p.m Chairman Staples moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so  
         ordered.   
          
         There being no further business, at 2:24 p.m. Senator Staples moved that the Senate Select  Committee on  
         Workers' Compensation stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         At 2:24 p.m. Vice-Chairman Elkins recessed the House Committee on Business and Industry subject to the  
         call of the chair. 
          
         ______________________ 
         Senator Todd Staples, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Patricia Gajda, Clerk