MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

1:30 p.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.012

 

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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, February 7, 2007, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator John Carona Senator Robert Duncan Senator Chris Harris Senator Kirk Watson		Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr.

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m.  There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Hinojosa moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on January 31, 2007; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 192 and recognized the author, Senator Brimer, 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 Hinojosa moved that SB 192 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 Hinojosa moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

At 1:44 p.m. Senator Hinojosa assumed the chair. 

 

The chair laid out SB 159 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 senate 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.  The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that SB 159 do not pass but that CSSB 159 be reported back 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 Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 176 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain the bill.  Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the chair recognized Senator Wentworth to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  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 176 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 178 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, 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 178 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 Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 179 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, 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 179 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The chair laid out SB 271 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, 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. 

 

At 3:12 p.m. Senator Wentworth announced that the committee stand at ease to await a quorum.

 

At 3:13 p.m. the committee reconvened.

 

Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.  Senator Wentworth requested unanimous consent to roll the amendment into the body of the bill; without objection, it was so ordered.  The Chair then moved that the committee substitute be adopted; without objection, it was so ordered.  Senator Duncan moved that SB 271 do not pass but that CSSB 271 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 0 nay, 0 present not voting, and 3 absent.  Senator Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar; without objection, it was so ordered.   

 

At 3:14 p.m. Senator Wentworth resumed the chair. 

 

There being no further business, at 3:14 p.m. Senator Wentworth moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair

 

 

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Stephanie Hoover, Clerk