MINUTES SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE Wednesday, March 16, 2005 1:30 p.m. or upon adjournment Capitol Extension, Room E1.012 ***** Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence was held on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas. ***** MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Kip Averitt Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Robert Duncan Senator Chris Harris Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Royce West ***** The chair called the meeting to order at 1:39 p.m. The following business was transacted: The chair laid out SB 524 and recognized the author, Senator Eltife, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Harris moved that SB 524 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent. The clerk called roll. There was a quorum present. Senator Gallegos, Jr. moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 9, 2005; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 584 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair referred SB 584 to a subcommittee for further consideration. The chair appointed Senator Duncan as chair of the subcommittee and Senators Harris and Hinojosa as members of the subcommittee. The chair laid out SB 585 and recognized the author, Senator Fraser, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wentworth moved that SB 585 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. The chair laid out SB 669 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Duncan moved that SB 669 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nay, 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 671 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The bill was left pending. The chair laid out SB 673 and recognized the author, Senator Seliger, to explain the bill. Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. The bill was left pending. At 2:46 p.m. Senator Duncan assumed the chair. The chair laid out SB 165 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 sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 3 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted. Senator Wentworth moved to withdraw Committee Amendment 3; without objection, the amendment was withdrawn. Senator Wentworth 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. The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wentworth requested consent to roll the amendments into a committee substitute; without objection, it was so ordered. Senator Wentworth then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered. At 4:35 p.m. Senator Gallegos, Jr. assumed the chair. At 4:53 p.m. Senator Duncan assumed the chair. Senator Wentworth asked to leave SB 165 pending. Senator Wentworth moved to reconsider the committee substitute that was adopted for SB 165, there was no objection. Senator Wentworth moved to withdraw the committee substitute, there was no objection. At 5:05 p.m. Senator Wentworth resumed the chair. The chair announced the motion in writing by Senator West. Senator West was shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 524 and SB 669. There was no action taken on the following bills: SB 145, SB 349 and SB 672. There being no further business, at 5:05 p.m. Senator Wentworth moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered. _____________________________ Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair _____________________________ Stephanie Hoover, Clerk