MINUTES 
          
                        SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE 
                            Monday, October 20, 1997 
                                    10:00 am 
                                 Senate Chamber 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on  
         Jurisprudence was held on Monday, October 20, 1997 in the  
         Senate Chamber at Austin, Texas.   
          
                                      ***** 
          
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Rodney Ellis                    Senator Chris Harris 
         Senator David Cain                      Senator Steve Ogden 
         Senator Robert Duncan                   Senator Jeff Wentworth 
         Senator Gregory Luna 
          
                                      ***** 
          
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:05 am.  There  
         being a quorum present, the following business was transacted.   
          
         The following members arrived after the roll was called:   
         none. 
          
         Senator Duncan moved adoption of proposed rules.  The motion  
         carried with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting,  
         and 3 absent. 
          
         The chair recognized the following invited witnesses: 
          
         George Christian, representing Texans for Judicial Election  
         Reform, testified on judicial selection. 
         Judge Sharolyn Wood, representing self, testified on judicial  
         selection. 
         Justice Tom James, representing self, testified on judicial  
         selection. 
         Chief Justice Tom Phillips, representing self, testified on  
         jurisprudential matters. 
         Lawrence F. Alwin, representing State Auditor's Office,  
         testified on caseload management among the 14 Courts of  
         Appeals. 
         Andrea Claire, representing State Auditor's Office, testified  
         on caseload management among the 14 Courts of Appeals. 
         Chief Justice Tom Phillips, representing self, testified on  
         jurisprudential matters. 
          
         A brief discussion followed. 
  
         At 11:56 am Senator Cain assumed the chair.   
          
         At 11:59 am Senator Ellis resumed the chair.   
          
         There being no further business, at 12:20 pm Senator Ellis  
         moved that the Committee be recessed subject to the call of  
         the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         ______________________ 
         Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Amy Chamberlain, Clerk