MINUTES 
          
                        SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE 
                            Wednesday, April 2, 1997 
                                     1:30 pm 
                         Capitol Extension, Room E1.016 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on  
         Jurisprudence was held on Wednesday, April 2, 1997 in the  
         Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.   
          
                                      ***** 
          
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Rodney Ellis 
         Senator Chris Harris 
         Senator David Cain 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Gregory Luna 
         Senator Steve Ogden 
         Senator Jeff Wentworth 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         Senator Harris, the Acting Chair, called the meeting to order  
         at 2:30 pm.  Awaiting a quorum, the following business was  
         transacted.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 966 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Nelson, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         The Chair moved that SB 966 be left pending to await a quorum;  
         without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a  
         quorum, Senator Luna moved SB 966 be reported back to the  
         senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present  
         not voting, and 1 absent.   
         Senator Luna moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1063 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Carona, to explain the bill.   
         The Chair moved that SB 1063 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Luna moved SB 1063 be reported back to the  
         senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
  
         The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present  
         not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Luna moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1314 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Barrientos, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         The Chair moved that SB 1314 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Luna moved SB 1314 be reported back to the  
         senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present  
         not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Luna moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1176 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Whitmire, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached  
         list.  
         The Chair moved that SB 1176 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Luna moved SB 1176 be reported back to the  
         senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present  
         not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Luna moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1385 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Haywood, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Duncan sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved  
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
         The Chair moved that SB 1385 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Duncan moved that SB 1385, as amended, be  
         reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do  
         pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7  
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Duncan moved that the bill be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         At 2:55 pm Senator Luna assumed the chair.  
           
         The Chair laid out SB 1689 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ellis, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         The Chair moved that SB 1689 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Ellis moved SB 1689 be reported back to the  
         senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.   
         The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present  
         not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Ellis moved that the bill be recommended for placement  
         on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without objection, it was  
         so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1864 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ellis, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Ellis moved that SB 1864 be left pending; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 318 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ellis, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Ellis sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Ellis to explain the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Ellis  
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,  
         it was so ordered. 
         Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved  
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
         The Chair moved that SB 318 be left pending to await a quorum;  
         without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a  
         quorum,  Senator Ellis requested unanimous consent to  
         incorporate amendments into the committee substitute.  Senator  
         Ellis then moved that the new committee substitute be adopted.   
         Senator Ellis moved that SB 318 do not pass but that CSSB 318  
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it  
         do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 6  
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.   
          
         At 3:00 pm Senator Ellis assumed the chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out HB 506 and recognized the Senate sponsor, Senator Luna, to explain  
         the bill.   
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached  
         list.   
         Senator Luna sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Luna to explain the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Luna  
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,  
         it was so ordered. 
         Senator Luna sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved adoption;  
         without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
         Senator Luna requested unanimous consent to incorporate the  
         amendment into the committee substitute.  Senator Luna then  
         moved that the new committee substitute be adopted.  The Chair  
         moved that HB 506 be left pending to await a quorum; without  
         objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a quorum,  
         Senator Luna moved that HB 506 do not pass but that CSHB 506  
         be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it  
         do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7  
         ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 507 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Nixon, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Luna sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Nixon to explain the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Luna  
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,  
         it was so ordered. 
         Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved  
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
         Senator Wentworth sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved  
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
         Senator Ellis moved that SB 507 be left pending; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1094 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Wentworth, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached  
         list.   
         The Chair moved that SB 1094 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Wentworth moved SB 1094 be reported back to  
         the senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1559 and recognized the author, Senator Wentworth, to explain  
         the bill.   
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached  
         list.   
         The Chair moved that SB 1559 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Wentworth moved SB 1559 be reported back to  
         the senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
         Senator Wentworth moved that the bill be recommended for  
         placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar, without  
         objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         At 3:20 pm Senator Wentworth assumed the chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1173 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Duncan, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between  
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator  
         Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute, without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
         The Chair moved that CSSB 1173 be left pending to await a  
         quorum; without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of  
         a quorum, Senator Duncan moved that SB 1173 do not pass but  
         that CSSB 1173 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion  
         carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,  
         and 0 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 SJR 36 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Duncan, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses registering on the bill are shown on the attached  
         list.   
         Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between  
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator  
         Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute, without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
         The Chair moved that SJR 36 be left pending to await a quorum;  
         without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a  
         quorum, Senator Duncan moved that SJR 36 do not pass but that  
         CSSJR 36 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion  
         carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,  
         and 0 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 838 and recognized the author, Senator Duncan, to explain the  
         bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Duncan moved that SB 838 be left pending; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair laid out HB 368 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Duncan, to explain the bill.  Witnesses testifying and  
         registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.   
         Senator Duncan sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Duncan to explain the difference between  
         the committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator  
         Duncan moved adoption of the committee substitute, without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
         The Chair moved that HB 368 be left pending to await a quorum;  
         without objection it was so ordered.  Upon arrival of a  
         quorum, Senator Duncan moved that HB 368 do not pass but that  
         CSHB 368 be reported back to the Senate with the  
         recommendation that it do pass and be printed. The motion  
         carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,  
         and 0 absent.   
          
         At  3:44 pm Senator Duncan assumed the chair.   
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1864 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ellis, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 1 and moved  
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
          
         At 3:48 pm Senator Ogden assumed the chair.   
          
         Senator Ellis sent up Committee Amendment 2 and moved  
         adoption; without objection, the amendment was adopted.   
         Senator Ellis moved that SB 1864 be left pending until 4:30  
         pm; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 3:50 pm,  Senator Ellis moved that the Committee stand at  
         ease until 4:30 pm. Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         At 4:50 pm, Senator Ogden, the Acting Chair, called the  
         meeting to order at 4:50 pm.  Awaiting a quorum, the following  
         business was transacted.     
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1864. 
            
         At 5:10 pm Senator Luna assumed the chair.   
          
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
          
         At 5:20 pm Senator Duncan assumed the chair. 
  
         Senator Ellis moved that SB 1864 be left pending; without  
         objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         At 5:22 pm Senator Ellis resumed the chair.   
          
         At 5:22 pm, the Chair called roll.  The following members  
         arrived after the roll was called:   
         Senator Chris Harris 
         Senator Steve Ogden 
          
         The Chair laid out SB 1547 and recognized the author, Senator  
         Ogden, to explain the bill.   
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on  
         the attached list.   
         Senator Ogden sent up a committee substitute; the Chair  
         recognized Senator Ogden to explain the difference between the  
         committee substitute and the bill as filed.  Senator Ogden  
         moved adoption of the committee substitute, without objection,  
         it was so ordered. 
         Senator Ogden moved that SB 1547 do not pass but that CSSB  
         1547 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation  
         that it do pass and be printed. The motion carried with a vote  
         of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 0 absent.    
          
         Senator Luna requested unanimous consent to be shown voting  
         "aye" on CSSB 1547.  
          
         The Chair laid out HB 680 and recognized the Senate sponsor,  
         Senator Ogden, to explain the bill.  Witnesses registering on  
         the bill are shown on the attached list.   
         Senator Ogden moved that HB 680 be reported favorably to the  
         full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be  
         printed.  The motion carried with a vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0  
         present not voting, and 0 absent.   
          
         Senator Harris requested unanimous consent to be shown voting  
         "aye" on SB 1173, SJR 36, HB 368, SB 1547, HB 680, SB 966, SB  
         1063, SB 1314, SB 1176, SB 1385, SB 1689, SB 318, HB 506, SB  
         1094, and SB 1559 ; without objection, it was so ordered. 
         Senator Ogden requested unanimous consent to be shown voting  
         "aye" on SB 1063, SB 1094, SB 1176, SB 1314, SB 1385, SB 1689,  
         and HB 506; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         Senator Duncan requested unanimous consent to be shown voting  
         "aye" on  HB 680; without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         There being no further business, at 5:38 pm Senator Ellis  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         ___________________________ 
         Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair 
          
         ___________________________ 
         Helen Gonz lez, Clerk