The House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

85th Legislature

August 14, 2018

1:00 p.m.

E2.026

Pursuant to a notice posted on July 25, 2018, the House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Smithee, at 1:04 p.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Smithee; Hernandez; Murr; Neave; and Schofield.

A quorum was present.

The chair laid out interim charge #2: “Examine the increasing use of non-traditional methods of resolving legal disputes and interacting with the legal system, and the implications of this trend both for the parties involved and the legal system as a whole. Include an examination of the availability and use of self-help resources, recent efforts by the Legislature and courts to increase access to justice for unrepresented litigants, and the use of online dispute resolution.”

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The chair laid out interim charge #4: “Study the increased use of specialty courts across the state. Examine the role these courts play in the judicial system and recommend improvements to ensure they continue to be appropriately and successfully utilized.”

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Schofield in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Smithee in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Schofield in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Smithee in chair.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

(Representative Farrar now present.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The chair laid out interim charge #5: “Examine the jurisdictional thresholds of the justice, county, and district courts, including how these limits and other factors impact the caseload of the courts. Study possible improvements in the efficient organization and operation of the court system.”

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

The chair laid out interim charge #6: “Monitor the ongoing efforts of the Office of Court Administration's guardianship compliance program, and consider additional methods to ensure that Texans placed under guardianship are protected from abuse.”

Testimony taken/registration recorded.  (See attached witness list.)

At 6:16 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Smithee, Chair

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Beth Klunder, Clerk