MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Thursday, February 20, 1997
9:00 am
Senate Chamber
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Economic
Development was held on Thursday, February 20, 1997 in the
Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator David Sibley, Chairman Senator Chris Harris
Senator David Cain, Vice Chairman Senator Frank Madla
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Tom Haywood
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jerry Patterson
Senator Florence Shapiro
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
*****
The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:10 am. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted.
The Chair laid out SB 220. Senator Duncan sent up a committee
substitute; the Chair recognized the bill author, Senator
Bivins, to explain the difference between the committee
substitute and the bill as filed.
The Chair announced that the Committee would have invited
testimony to present an overview of SB 220, and called the first
expert witness, Shannon Ratliff, representing the Texas Civil
Justice League, speaking in support of the bill. Professor
Louis Muldrow, representing himself, testified as a resource on
the bill. Professor Bill Powers, representing the Texas Civil
Justice League, presented testimony in favor of the bill. Pat
Hazel, representing himself, was called to testify in opposition
to the bill.
At 11:15 a.m., Chairman Sibley recessed the hearing until 30
minutes after adjournment of the Senate. Without objection, it
was so ordered.
At 12:30 p.m., the Committee reconvened and the Chair called Pat
Hazel to continue his testimony. Upon completion of Mr. Hazel's
testimony and members' questions, the Chair read the names of
witnesses registering for or against the bill but not wishing to
testify. Judge Ann Ashby, 134th District Court, testified as a
resource on the bill. Robert Beatty, representing himself; and
Steve Bresnan and Michael Slack, both representing Texas Trial
Lawyers Association, all testified in opposition to the bill.
All witnesses are shown on the attached witness list.
Senator Duncan sent up Committee Amendment 1 and explained the
amendment. The Chair advised that the amendment would not be
adopted at this time, and that SB 220 would be left pending.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
At 1:45 pm Senator Cain assumed the chair, laid out SB 275 and
recognized the author, Senator Sibley, to explain the bill.
John Eads and Robert Owen, representing the Texas Society of
CPAs, testified in favor of the bill. John Heasley,
representing Texas Bankers Association; John McEldowney,
representing himself; and Michael Slack, representing Texas
Trial Lawyers Association, all spoke in opposition to the bill.
The Chair read the names of persons registering for the bill but
not wishing to testify. All witnesses are shown on the attached
witness list.
At 2:40 pm Senator Sibley assumed the chair.
Upon conclusion of the testimony, Senator Sibley moved that SB
275 be left pending; without objection, it was so ordered.
There being no further business, at 2:45 pm Senator Sibley moved
that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the
Chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
__________________________ ______________________
Senator David Sibley, Chairman Barbara Henderson, Clerk