MINUTES
         
                        SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE
                             Friday, March 14, 1997
                                    10:00 am
             Civil Courts Bldg., Ceremonial Court Room, Houston, Tx
         
                                      *****
         
         
         
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 
         11.11, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on 
         Jurisprudence was held on Friday, March 14, 1997 in Civil 
         Courts Bldg., Ceremonial Court Room, 3rd Floor, 301 Fannin, at 
         Houston, Texas.  
         
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         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
         
                                      *****
         
         The Chair called the meeting to order awaiting a quorum at 
         10:15 am.  The following business was transacted.  
         
         The Chair introduced Houston City Councilman Michael 
         Yarborough for a statement.
         
         The Chair then introduced Senator Buster Brown, Representative 
         Dora Olivo, Judge Sharolyn Woods.
         
         Senator Ellis then gave an introductory statement on 
         statistics and the state of the judiciary in Texas.
         
         Senator Ellis introduced Senator Gallegos for a few comments 
         on judicial selection. 
         
         Senator Ellis introduced Senator Whitmire for a statement on 
         judicial selection.
         
         Witnesses testifying and registering on the issue of judicial 
         selection  are shown on the attached list. 
         
         
         
         
         
         
 
         





         There being no further business, at 12:47 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 Gonzalez, Clerk