The House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

82nd Legislature

February 8, 2012

10:00 a.m.

E2.010

Pursuant to a notice posted on January 25, 2012, the House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence met in a public hearing and was called to order by the chair, Representative Jackson, Jim, at 10:10 a.m.

The initial quorum call was answered as follows: Representatives Jackson, Jim; Lewis; Bohac; Davis, Sarah; Raymond; and Scott.

A quorum was present.

Interim Asbestos Charges

The chair brought forth two interim charges to be heard:

Interim Charge Number 4: Study the degree of transparency in asbestos bankruptcy trusts and how it affects litigation of asbestos exposure claims in Texas courts.

And

Interim Charge Number 6: Study whether asbestos and silica multi district litigation courts should be allowed to dismiss, without prejudice, claims on the courts' inactive dockets for want of prosecution under certain circumstances.

(Representative Thompson now present.)

(Representative Castro now present.)

Testimony taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)

The Chair created the Asbestos subcommittee to study the two interim charges.

The members of the subcommittee are:

Judge Lewis, Chair

Sarah Davis

Connie Scott

Richard Raymond

Jim Jackson

At 12:50 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chair.

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Rep. Jackson, Jim, Chair

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Kari King, Clerk