House Committee on Judicial Affairs 
         75th Legislature 
         July 17, 1998 
         10:00 am  
         Del Mar College-West Campus Howard E. Barth Learning Center,  
         #102 
         Corpus Christi, Texas 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted on July 2, 1998, the House  
         Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a public hearing and was  
         called to order by the Chair, Representative Senfronia  
         Thompson at 10:06 am. 
          
         The roll was answered as follows:   
          
         Present:  Representatives Thompson; Crabb; Luna, Vilma; Solis;  
                   Zbranek (5). 
          
         Absent:   Representatives Hartnett; Clark; Garcia; Shields  
                   (4). 
          
         A quorum was present. 
          
         The chair swore in all witnesses. 
          
         The chair recognized the following resource witnesses to  
         testify neutrally on multicounty statutory probate courts: 
          M.L. Stewart, representing the Texas Legislative Council; and 
          Brete Anderson, Legislative Aide, representing Rep. Senfronia  
         Thompson. 
          
         The chair recognized the following witnesses to testify  
         neutrally on multicounty statutory probate courts: 
          Judge Jerri Lee Mills, Brazoria County Court at Law and  
         Probate Court Judge, representing herself and her profession; 
          Judge James Klager, Nueces County Court at Law Judge,  
         representing himself and his profession; 
          
         Representative Shields now present. 
          
          Judge Garvin Germany, Brazoria County Court at Law and  
         Probate Court Judge, representing himself and his profession; 
          Jerry Frank Jones, representing himself and the Real Estate,  
         Probate and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of  Texas; 
          Judge Garvin Germany, Brazoria County Court at Law and  
         Probate Court Judge, for further testimony; 
          Judge James Klager, Nueces County Court at Law Judge, for  
         further testimony; 
          Judge Robert Vargas, Nueces County Court at Law Judge,  
         representing himself and his profession; 
          Judge James Klager, Nueces County Court at Law Judge, for  
         further testimony; 
          Judge Marisela Salda a, Nueces County Court at Law Judge,  
         representing herself and her profession; 
          Judge Garvin Germany, Brazoria County Court at Law and  
  
         Probate Court Judge, for further testimony; 
          Judge Robert Vargas, Nueces County Court at Law Judge, for  
         further testimony; and, 
          Judge Hector Pe a, Jr., representing the County Courts at Law  
         of Nueces County; 
          
         The Chair recognized Patrick Johnson, Committee Counsel, to  
         discuss the Texas Judicial Council recommendations. 
          
         Representative Zbranek moved to adopt a recommendation NOT to  
         eliminate the shuffle of jurors when the panel is still random  
         as seated in the assigned court.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following record vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Crabb; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Hartnett; Clark; Garcia (3). 
          
         Representative Crabb moved to adopt a recommendation NOT to  
         allow limited judicial control of  voir dire.  The motion  
         prevailed by the following record vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Crabb; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Shields; Solis; Zbranek (6). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      None (0). 
         Absent:        Representatives Hartnett; Clark; Garcia (3). 
          
         Representative Zbranek moved to adopt a recommendation NOT to  
         encourage individual counties' attention to the human factors  
         of jury service such as minimizing waiting times and providing  
         comfortable waiting areas.  The motion prevailed by the  
         following vote:   
          
         Ayes:          Representatives Thompson; Crabb; Luna, Vilma;  
                        Solis; Zbranek (5). 
         Nays:          None (0). 
         Present not Voting:      Representative Shields (1). 
         Absent:        Representatives Hartnett; Clark; Garcia (3). 
          
         The Chair swore in and recognized Judge Michael O'Neal,  
         Municipal Court Judge of  Dallas, representing himself and his  
         profession to testify neutrally on Uniform Municipal Courts of  
         Record Legislation. 
          
         The Chair swore in and  recognized Gloria Owens, Court Support  
         Manager for the City of Dallas  
          
         Municipal Courts, representing herself and her occupation to  
         testify neutrally on Uniform Municipal Courts of Record  
         Legislation. 
          
         The Chair recognized M.L. Stewart, resource witness,  
  
         representing the Texas Legislation Council to testify  
         neutrally on Uniform Municipal Courts of Record Legislation. 
          
         There being no further witnesses and no further business, the  
         Chair moved that the committee stand adjourned. 
          
         There being no objection, the Committee on Judicial Affairs  
         adjourned at 12:08 pm. 
          
         ___________________________________  
         Senfronia Thompson, Chair 
          
         _______________________________ 
         Milda Mora, Committee Clerk