MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE AFFAIRS

Monday, April 28, 2008

9:00 a.m.

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on State Affairs was held on Monday, April 28, 2008, in the Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Tommy Williams Senator John Carona Senator Rodney Ellis Senator Chris Harris Senator Mike Jackson Senator Leticia Van de Putte		Senator Troy Fraser Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.  A quorum was established at 9:05 a.m., the following business was transacted: 

 

The Committee heard invited and public testimony regarding the Interim Charge No. 8:  Monitor the Texas workers' compensation system, and the continued implementation of the reforms of HB 7, 7th Legislature, Regular Session, by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state agencies.  Specifically evaluate the recent decision by the Texas Supreme Court in Entergy v. Summers in terms of its impact and the impact of previous legislation on the workers' compensation system.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the subject are shown on the attached list.

 

At 9:50 a.m. Senator Williams assumed the chair. 

 

At 9:52 a.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

Testimony on Interim Charge No. 8 resumed. 

 

At 12:44 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the committee stand recessed until 1:15 p.m.; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 1:27 p.m. the committee reconvened.

 

The Committee also heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge No. 6:  Study the economic impact of recent civil justice reform legislation in Texas.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the subject are shown on the attached list. 

 

At 2:24 p.m. Senator Ellis assumed the chair. 

 

At 2:28 p.m. Senator Duncan resumed the chair. 

 

Testimony on Interim Charge No. 6 resumed.  At 4:45 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Committee also heard invited and public testimony regarding Interim Charge No. 7:  Study whether Texas should adopt the Restatement of Torts Sec. 674 (Wrongful use of Civil Proceedings) and whether a person should be allowed to recover court and attorneys fees when he has been forced to defend a lawsuit filed without probable cause or for intimidation purposes.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the subject are shown on the attached list.  At 5:05 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

There being no further business, at 5:08 p.m. Senator Duncan moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Robert Duncan, Chair

 

 

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Anna Beth White, Clerk