MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

1:30 PM or upon adjournment

Betty King Committee Room

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence was held on Tuesday, March 5, 2013, in the Betty King Committee Room at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West, Chair		Senator John Carona
Senator José Rodríguez, Vice Chair
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Ken Paxton

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 PM.  The following business was transacted:

 

The Chair invited The Honorable Wallace Jefferson, Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court, to testify before the Committee on SB 393, SB 394 and SB 395. 

 

The Chair invited The Honorable Orlinda Naranjo, Texas Judicial Council, to testify before the Committee on SB 393, SB 394 and SB 395. 

 

At 1:57 p.m., a quorum was established.

 

Senator Rodríguez moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on February 26, 2013.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 92 and recognized the author, Senator Van de Putte, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Van de Putte to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West moved that SB 92 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 714 and recognized the author, Senator Lucio, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Paxton moved that SB 714 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 4 ayes, 1 nay, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

At 2:40 PM Senator Rodríguez assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 393 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Hancock sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator Hancock moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West moved that SB 393 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 2:56 PM Senator West resumed the Chair.  

 

The Chair laid out SB 677 and recognized the author, Senator Paxton, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Paxton moved that SB 677 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:12 PM Senator Rodríguez assumed the Chair.

 

The Chair laid out SB 394 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Paxton moved that SB 394 be reported favorably to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Hancock moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 395 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

 

Senator West sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West moved that SB 395 be left pending.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

The Chair laid out SB 717 and recognized the author, Senator West, to explain the bill.

 

Senator Paxton sent up a committee substitute; the Chair recognized Senator West to explain the difference between the committee substitute and the senate bill as filed.  Senator West moved adoption of the committee substitute.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair moved that the public testimony be closed.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator West moved that SB 717 do not pass but that CSSB 717 be reported back to the Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed.  The motion carried with a record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 present not voting, and 1 absent.

 

Senator Paxton moved that the bill be recommended for placement on the Local & Uncontested Calendar.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 3:21 PM Senator West resumed the Chair.

 

Senator Campbell submitted a motion in writing to be shown voting aye on SB 394, SB 677 and SB 717.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Senator Campbell requested unanimous consent to be shown voting aye on the following bills: SB 394, SB 677 and SB 717.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

There being no further business, at 3:22 PM Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk