Start time is approximate

Webcast live from Bass Concert Hall at the University of Texas

9:30am - 3:00pm

9:30am - 3:00pm

Webcast live from the Frank Ervin Center

Start time is approximate

9:30am - 3:00pm

9:30am

9:30am - 1:30pm

9:30am

9:30am - 1:30pm

Start time is approximate

9:30am

9:30am - 1:30pm

9:30am

10:00am

9:30am

from the Erwin Center

9:30am - 1:30pm

Hosted by the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas and the Austin Bar Association Civil Appellate Section - Moderator: Michael Heidler, Austin Bar Assoc. Civil Appellate Section President, of Vinson & Elkins

9:30am - 1:30pm

1pm - 4pm

9:30am - 1:30pm

Approximate start time 10:40am - after the second and final oral argument of the day

9:30am - 1:30pm

Approximate start time 10:40am - after the second and final oral argument of the day

9:30am - 1:30pm

9:30am - 1:30pm

9:30am - 3:00pm

Agenda

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Report of Specialty Courts Advisory Council on Specialty Court Best Practices
b. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Jim Bethke
c. Highlights of the Annual Statistical Report for the Texas Judiciary (Fiscal Year 2015) - Angela Garcia
d. Shared Solutions Update- Rick Figueroa
e. Report on Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission - Alejandra Pena, Terri Peirce
f. Elders Committee - Judge Polly Spencer
     (1) Guardianship Compliance Pilot Program Update - Jeff Rinard
g. Criminal Justice Committee Update - Judge Kelly Moore
h. Courthouse and Judicial Security Survey - David Slayton

V. New Business
a. Consider appointment of Judicial and Courthouse Security Committee - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht
b. Consider setting salary of the regional presiding judges for the 2016-2017 biennium pursuant to Texas Government Code Sec. 74.051 - Mena Ramon
c. Consider amendments to the Texas Judicial Council Reporting Requirements and authorize notice in the Texas Register - Angela Garcia
d. Consider amendments to Texas Judicial Council Collections Improvement Program Rules and authorize notice in the Texas Register - Scott Griffith

VI. Next Meeting - June 3, 2016

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

9:30am - 3:00pm

10:00am - Noon

AGENDA:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

III. Minutes of Previous Meetings - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
b. Legislative Update - David Slayton
c. Update on Shared Solutions - Aurora Zamora
d. Criminal Justice Committee Update - Judge Kelly Moore
e. Timothy Cole Exoneration Review Commission Update - Wesley Shackelford
f. Guardianship Compliance Review Pilot Program Update - Jeff Rinard
g. Specialty Court Best Practices Update - Anissa Johnson

V. New Business
a. Texas Judicial Council Monthly Statistical Reporting Review - Scott Griffith & Angela Garcia

VI. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

AGENDA
June 12, 2015
10:00 A.M.

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

III. Minutes of Previous Meetings - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

IV. Reports and Action Items

a. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
b. Legislative Update - David Slayton

1. Judicial Council Resolutions
2. Appropriations
3. Other bills affecting the Judiciary

c. Report on Problem-Solving Court Best Practices - Anissa Johnson
d. Report on Judicial Civics and Education Center - Megan LaVoie
e. Report on Pretrial Justice Initiatives - David Slayton

V. New Business

a. Appointment and Charge of Criminal Justice Committee - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht
b. Discuss potential modifications to Judicial Council monthly reporting requirements - David Slayton

VI. Next Meeting - September 18, 2015 - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

10:00am - Noon

10:00am - 3:00pm

Approximate start time 10:40am - after the second and final oral argument of the day

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

III. Minutes of Previous Meetings - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Update regarding Tech for Justice Hackathon - David Slayton
b. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
c. Presentation of Guardianship Study Findings - Scott Griffith
d. Report of the FY14 Statistical Information for the Texas Courts - David Slayton
e. Legislative Update - David Slayton

V. New Business
a. Introduction of New Members

VI. Next Meeting - June 12, 2015 - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller
b. Consider legislative proposals for Judicial Council Resolutions - David Slayton

V. New Business - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht
a. Recognition of Outgoing Council Members

VI. Next Meeting - February 20, 2015 - 10:00 am

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

9:30am - 1:30pm

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Executive Director's Report - David Slayton
b. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Jim Bethke
c. Shared Solutions 2.0 Update- Rick Figueroa
d. Elders Committee Report -Judge Polly Spencer
e. Update on Legislative Interim Charge hearings- David Slayton

V. New Business
a. Review and discussion of potential legislative proposals by the Texas Judicial Council - David Slayton
b. Consider review of Judicial Council administrative rules pursuant to Sec. 2001.039, Texas Govt. Code - David Slayton
c. Resolutions of Recognition - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

VI. Next Meeting - November 7, 2014 - 10 AM

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

9:30am - 1:30pm

10:00am - Noon (Tentative)

The Appellate Sections of the State Bar of Texas and the Austin Bar Association jointly present

An Evening with the Texas Supreme Court
Thursday, April 17, 2014
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

A panel discussion with a number of Texas Supreme Court justices on ideas for improving appellate practice on both sides of the bench. Panelists include:

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht
Justice Paul W. Green
Justice Phil Johnson
Justice Don Willett
Justice Eva Guzman
Justice Debra Lehrmann
Justice Jeff Boyd

9:30am - 1:30pm

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

II. Introduction of New Member - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

III. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

IV. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

V. Reports and Action Items
a. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Jim Bethke
b. Executive Director's Report - David Slayton
c. Annual Statistical Report for the Texas Judiciary (Fiscal Year 2013) - David Slayton
d. Shared Solutions 2.0 Update - Rick Figueroa
e. Elders Committee Report -Judge Polly Spencer

VI. New Business
a. Review of interim charges for the Texas Senate and House of Representatives - David Slayton
b. Discussion of potential recommendations by the Texas Judicial Council

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht

10:00am - Noon (Tentative)

Agenda:
I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Introduction of Special Guest - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
III. Attendance of Members - David Slayton
IV. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
V. Reports and Action Items
   a. Texas Indigent Defense Commission Report - Jim Bethke
   b. Update regarding Shared Solutions 2.0 - Rick Figueroa
   c. Update from Elders Committee - David Slayton for Judge Polly Spencer
   d. Update on TexFile eFiling system - Casey Kennedy
   e. Update on OCA Language Access Services and Court Consulting Services - Mary Cowherd
   f. Presentation from Specialty Courts Advisory Committee regarding Best Practices for Specialty Courts
VI. New Business
   a. Special Recognition - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson, Chief Justice Sherry Radack
VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

9:30am - 1:30pm

This ceremony celebrates the publication of the first book-length history of the Supreme Court of Texas in almost 100 years.The Texas Supreme Court: A Narrative History, 1836-1986, by James L. Haley, was published in February under the sponsorship of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society. The book is the culmination of a sixteen-year project undertaken by the Society to expand public awareness and appreciation of the Texas Supreme Court.

9:30am - 1:30pm

10:00am - Noon (Tentative)

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton
III. Minutes of Previous Meetings - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Update regarding Shared Solutions 2.0 - Rick Figueroa
b. Consider adoption of Judicial Council Resolutions - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
V. New Business - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
a. Discussion of judicial selection - Justice Bill Boyce
b. Discussion of court eFiling - David Slayton
VI. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

9:30am - 3:30pm

Presenter(s): Judicial Council

AGENDA
June 8, 2012
2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Supreme Court of Texas
201 W. 14th Street
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

II. Attendance of Members - David Slayton

III. Minutes of Previous Meetings - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Consideration and Adoption of Collection Improvement Program Rule Revisions - Mary Cowherd
b. Update on eFiling for Courts - Justice Rebecca Simmons and Casey Kennedy
c. Update from Judicial Compensation Commission - Chairman Bill Strawn
d. Update from Juvenile Justice Committee - Judge Orlinda Naranjo
e. Update from Shared Solutions - Rick Figueroa and David Slayton
f. Texas Indigent Defense Commission - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller

V. New Business - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

VI. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

Welcome

Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Presentation of Justice Harriet O'Neill Portrait
Hon. Thomas R. Phillips, Chief Justice (Ret.)

United States Senator John Cornyn

Response of the Court
Justice Nathan L. Hecht

Closing Comments
Chief Justice Jefferson

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

Supreme Court of Texas
Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
201 West 14th Street
Supreme Court Courtroom
Austin, Texas

Meeting Agenda

9:30 Commencement / Opening Remarks - The Honorable Eva Guzman
Commission Membership Changes, Tab 2
Collaborative Council Member Changes, Tab 2
Committee Membership Changes, Tab 2
Staff Member Changes, Tab 2

10:00 First order of business - The Honorable Eva Guzman
1. Adopt Minutes from February 10, 2012, Tab 1

10:05 Commissioner Updates

10:45 Presentation of Education Committee Report - Hon. Patricia A. Macias

11:45 Break

12:00 Commission Report - Tina Amberboy/Commission Staff, Tab 3

12:30 Lunch

1:30 Basic Committee Report - Hon. Bonnie Hellums, Tab 3

1:45 Training Committee Report - Hon. Camile DuBose, Tab 3

2:00 Technology Committee Report - Tina Amberboy, Casey Kennedy, Tab 3

2:15 DFPS Update - Audrey Deckinga

2:30 Office of Court Administration - David Slayton

2:45 Jurist in Residence - John J. Specia

3:00 Comments from Collaborative Council/New Business 2012 Meeting Dates September 14, 2012

The Appellate Sections of the State Bar of Texas and the Austin Bar Association jointly present

An Evening with the Texas Supreme Court
Thursday, April 26, 2012
4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Please join us for a panel discussion with a number of Texas Supreme Court justices on ideas for improving appellate practice on both sides of the bench. Panelists include:

Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
Justice Nathan L. Hecht
Justice Paul W. Green
Justice David Medina
Justice Phil Johnson
Justice Eva Guzman
Justice Lehrmann

Reception with the Texas Supreme Court to follow program. 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

1.5 hours (.33 ethics) CLE credit requested.

Contact: D. Todd Smith
Email: todd@appealsplus.com

Location Details

InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel
701 Congress Avenue
Austin Texas

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

I. Commencement of Meeting
II. Attendance of Members
III. Approval of minutes
IV. Invited Presentations
a. "Child Crisis Intervention Training," Sgt. Michele White & Sgt. Stan Slate, San Antonio Independent School District
b. "Disproportionality in Texas Systems," Joyce James, Director, Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities, Health and Human Services Commission
c. "Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports" - Brenda Scheuermann, Ph.D., Special Education Programs; Coordinator, Behavioral Disorders/Positive Behavioral Supports Programs, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, Texas State University
V. Member & Staff Comment
VI. Public Comment
VII. Adjourn

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds
III. Minutes of Previous Meetings - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Report on the Shared Solutions Summit - Rick Figueroa and Judge Laura Weiser
b. Greetings from the National Center for State Courts - Rob Baldwin
c. Juvenile Justice Committee - Judge Orlinda Naranjo
d. Texas Indigent Defense Commission - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller
e. Collection Improvement Progam Rule Revisions - Mary Cowherd
V. 83rd Texas Legislature Proposals
a. Simplification and Appropriate Use of Criminal Court Costs
VI. New Business - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VII. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VIII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

Supreme Court of Texas
Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
201 West 14th Street
Supreme Court Courtroom
Austin, Texas

Meeting Agenda

10:00 Commencement / Opening Remarks - The Honorable Eva Guzman
Commission Membership Changes, Tab 2
Collaborative Council Member Changes, Tab 2
Committee Membership Changes, Tab 2

10:15 First order of business - The Honorable Eva Guzman
Adopt Minutes from November 18, 2011, Tab 1
Reorganization of Children's Commission Committees
Restructure of Children's Commission Quarterly Meetings

10:30 Presentation by Dr. Ira Chasnoff, Children's Research Triangle

11:30 Break

11:45 Commission Report - Tina Amberboy/Commission Staff, Tab 3

12:00 Basic Committee Report - Hon. Robin Sage, Tab 3

12:10 Training Committee Report - Hon Camile DuBose, Tab 3

12:20 Technology Committee Report - Tina Amberboy, Casey Kennedy, Tab 3

12:30 Education Committee Report - Hon. Patricia Macias, Tab 3

12:40 DFPS Update - Audrey Deckinga

12:50 Jurist in Residence - John J. Specia

1:00 Comments from Collaborative Council/New Business
Next Meeting: May 4, 2012 10:00 - 4:00 pm at Supreme Court of Texas
2012 Meeting Date Schedule: September _____
2013 Meetings will be held in January, May, September

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

I. Commencement of Meeting
II. Attendance of Members
III. Invited Presentations
a. Ryan Turner - The Law of Ticketing for School Violations
b. Deborah Fowler - The Appleseed Studies
c. Dr. Tony Fabelo - The Justice Center Study
IV. Discussion of Content for Next Meeting
V. Public Comment
VI. Adjourn

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

Courts across Texas have slowly implemented e-filing on a county by county basis over the last eight years. Of the approximately fifty counties that have implemented e-filing in their courts, several use an e-filing system different from that mandated in the Supreme Court of Texas and used by other courts throughout the state.

As the use of e-filing grows, the Court must assess whether Texas, like other states, should adopt a state-wide uniform e-filing system. While a uniform e-filing system may aid users by increasing convenience and decreasing costs, these benefits must be balanced against local concerns and individual counties' desires to implement a system of their choosing.

But the method by which court documents are filed is not the end of the inquiry. The Court must also determine whether parties, the public, and practicing attorneys alike would benefit from a statewide PACER-type system, which would allow users to access court documents via a centralized service once they have been e-filed.

To assist the Court in understanding the benefits and drawbacks of a uniform state-wide efiling system and evaluating the type of e-filing and document access system that may be most practical, beneficial, and cost-efficient, the Court has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, December 8, 2011 in the Supreme Court of Texas Courtroom, to begin at 2:00 p.m. The Court invites the following individuals to share their knowledge and views on these issues:

Honorable Rebecca Simmons, Chair, Judicial Committee on Information Technology
Honorable Mike Engelhart, Judge, 151st District Court, Harris County
Honorable Chris Daniel, District Clerk, Harris County
Honorable Gary Fitzsimmons, District Clerk, Dallas County
Honorable Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza, District Clerk, Travis County
Honorable Sheri Woodfin, District Clerk, Tom Green County
Erin Hutchins, Director of Portal Operations, NIC
Tammy Carter, General Manager, CaseFile Xpress
Dennis Van Metre, Chief Technology Officer, Vinson & Elkins

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

Call to Order
Blake Hawthorne
Clerk of the Court

Opening Remarks
Wallace B. Jefferson
Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Texas

Overview
William K. Kroger
Chair, Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force

Historical importance of Texas records
Mark Davidson
Judge, 11th District Court (Retired)

Problems with records and archival facilities
Mark Lambert
Vice Chair, Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force

Court clerks' perspectives on preservation
Amalia Rodriquez-Mendoza
Travis County District Clerk
and
Donna Kay McKinney
Bexar County District Clerk

Action items of the Task Force
William K. Kroger
Chair, Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force

Remarks and action items of the State Library and Archives Commission
Martha Doty Freeman
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Remarks and action items of State Bar of Texas
Bob Black
President, State Bar of Texas

20 historic records preserved by the Task Force
William K. Kroger
Chair, Texas Court Records Preservation Task Force

Response from the Court
Justice David M. Medina

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Judge Sharon Keller
II. Attendance of Members.
III. Approval of Minutes from June 8th, 2011.
IV. Opening Remarks and Chair's Report - Judge Sharon Keller
1. Seal/Logo for Texas Indigent Defense Commission.
2. Committee membership and charges.
3. Mission.
V. Report from Director - Mr. Jim Bethke
1. Staff development.
2. New office space.
3. PPRI website redesign.
4. Report on 82nd Legislature.
5. Report on upcoming Annual Indigent Defense Workshop.
VI. FY 2011 Grant Programs and Budget
1. Report on Fair Defense Account - Fund 5073 and Review FY2011 Budget.
2. Report on Current and Completed Discretionary Grants.
3. Report on Technical Support and Targeted Specific programs and consider new requests.
4. Report on Equalization Disbursements.
5. Consider Extraordinary Disbursement Requests.
6. Discuss Estimated Available Funds and Encumbrances.
7. Consider increase in Discretionary Grants budget to cover increased amounts to Bee, Bowie, and Webb.
8. Adopted amended FY2011 Budget and Provide Staff Instructions.
VII. FY 2012 Grant Programs and Budget
1. Consider FY2012 Discretionary Grant Applications to Bell, Hidalgo and Revision to Burnet County award.
2. Adopt FY2012 Budget.
3. Consider publication of FY2012 Formula Grant Request for Applications and allocation schedule.
4. Consider publication of FY2013 Discretionary Grant Request for Applications.
VIII. Report on Contract Extensions and Renewals for FY2012-2013
1. Report on extension of Criminal Justice Division- Innocence Project grant.
2. Innocence Projects contract renewal.
3. University of Texas legal intern.
4. Texas A&M-Public Policy Research Institute.
IX. Report on 2011 Indigent Defense Plan Submission process.
X. Report on Expenditure Report, Monitoring and Technical Assistance
1. Consider publication of FY2011 Indigent Defense Expense Reporting Manual.
2. Report on Fiscal Monitoring- Tarrant County report and Jefferson County contract system.
3. Report on Policy Monitoring.
4. Report on Ft. Bend County program assessment.
XI. Other Business/Next Meeting.
XII. Public Comment.
XIII. Adjournment.

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds
III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Court Resources Committee/Shared Solutions Summit - Carl Reynolds
b. Supreme Court Rule Projects - Marisa Secco
c. Access to Justice Commission Projects - Trish McAllister
d. School Discipline and Ticketing - Deborah Fowler
e. Information Services Projects - Casey Kennedy
f. Task Force on Indigent Defense - Presiding Judge Keller
g. Director's Report - Carl Reynolds
V. New Business - Chief Justice Jefferson
VI. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Jefferson
VII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA

Texas Supreme Court Building
Supreme Court Courtroom
201 West 14th Street
Austin, Texas 78701

9:00am - 9:20am Welcome & Opening Remarks: Honorable Wallace B. Jefferson, Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court

9:20am - 10:15am Presentation of Study Findings: Michael Thompson, Director, Council of State Governments Justice Center

10:15am - 11:30am Roundtable Discussion: Moderated by Honorable Jeanne Meurer, Judge, Travis County

11:30am - Noon Concluding Remarks: Honorable Jeffrion L. Aubry, Chair, Council of State Governments Justice Center Board and the Honorable Wallace B. Jefferson, Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds
III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Court Resources Committee - Rick Figueroa & Carl Reynolds
b. Data Management Implementation (CARD Project) - Tom Sullivan
c. Remote Interpreter Project - Ann Landeros, Marco Hanson, & Juanita Ulloa
d. Juvenile Justice Research & Legislation - Martha Lackritz, Supreme Court & Michele Deitch, University of Texas
e. Judicial selection - Justice Bill Boyce
f. 82nd Texas Legislature Roundtable - Carl Reynolds & Ted Wood
V. Resolution on Retirement of Bob Wessels - Chief Justice Jefferson & Carl Reynolds
VI. New Business - Chief Justice Jefferson
VII. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Jefferson
VIII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds
III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Update on Judicial Education Ethical Constraint (EAO-484) - Martha Dickie & Don Jones
b. Language Access in the Courts - Carl Reynolds
V. 82nd Texas Legislature
a. Judicial selection - Chief Justice Jefferson, Senator Duncan & Justice Boyce
b. Court organization - Senator Duncan
c. Funding for civil access to justice - Chief Justice Jefferson
d. Task Force on Indigent Defense proposals - Wesley Shackelford
e. Other legislative proposals - Carl Reynolds & Ted Wood
VI. New Business - Chief Justice Jefferson
VII. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Jefferson
VIII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller
II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds
III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller
IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Judicial Data Management Committee Update - Katie Bond
b. Task Force on Indigent Defense - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
c. Committee on Court Resources - Rick Figueroa
d. Committee on Judicial Selection - Justice Bill Boyce
e. Director's Report - Carl Reynolds
V. 82nd Texas Legislature
a. Judicial Council Legislative Proposals - Carl Reynolds & Ted Wood
VI. New Business - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller
VII. Next Meeting - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller
VIII. Adjournment - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

Dedication of Potraits: Justice Greg Abbott & Chief Justice Thomas R. Philips (Ret.)

Welcome

Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Presentation of Portrait
Justice Greg Abbott & Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips (Ret.)

Re-Dedication of Portrait
Chief Justice Joe R. Greenhill & Mr. Bill Greenhill

Response of the Court
Justice Paul W. Green

Closing Comments
Chief Justice Jefferson

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

Chair: Larry B. Pascal
Vice Chair: Leland C. De La Garza

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

I. INTRODUCTION / PRESENTATION

1. Commencement of Meeting/Opening Remarks - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson (5 minutes)
2. Introductions - Larry Pascal, Chair (5 minutes)
3. Presentation on International Law Practice in Texas and follow-up questions - Larry Pascal, Chair (15 minutes)

II. BREAK (5 minutes)

III. DISCUSSION

1. Sign-in
2. Review of minutes of prior meeting held on November 2, 2009
3. Reminder of posted on-line materials on HB Connect
4. Review of policy considerations for task force
5. Review of Subcommittee Reports
a. Unauthorized Practice of Law / State Bar of Texas (Leland De la Garza)
b. Comparative Law Subcommittee (Joe Rudberg)
c. Corporate Counsel (Jill Atha)
d. Education (Larry Sager)
c. Board of Law Examiners (Julia Vaughan)
6. Discussion of merits of Texas attracting more foreign attorneys / strengthening international practice in Texas
7. Going Forward
8. Discussion of any other open items
9. Establishment ofnext meeting date
10. Adjournment

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds
III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IV. Reports and Action Items
a. Judicial Data Management Committee Update - Mary Cowherd
b. Task Force on Indigent Defense - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
c. Committee on Court Resources - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
d. Director's Report - Carl Reynolds
e. Judicial Readiness - Mary Cowherd
V. 82nd Texas Legislature
a. Judicial Council Legislative Proposals - Carl Reynolds & Ted Wood
VI. New Business - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VII. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VIII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

The Appellate Sections of the State Bar of Texas and the Austin Bar Association jointly present

An Evening with the Texas Supreme Court

Thursday, February 18, 2010
4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Please join us for a panel discussion with a number of Texas Supreme Court justices on ideas for improving appellate practice on both sides of the bench. Panelists include:

Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
Justice Nathan L. Hecht
Justice Dale Wainwright
Justice Harriet O'Neill
Justice Paul W. Green
Justice David Medina

Reception with the Texas Supreme Court to follow program. 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Open Bar.

Registration. You may register for the seminar and reception by mailing a $25 check payable to "Civil Appellate Section" to D. Todd Smith, 700 Lavaca, Suite 405, Austin, Texas 78701, no later than February 12, 2010, or by reserving a space by email to todd@appealsplus.com, with $30 payable at the door.

Please feel free to propose questions for the justices; email to Lisa Bowlin Hobbs at lhobbs@velaw.com.

1.5 hours (.33 ethics) CLE credit requested.

Contact: D. Todd Smith
Email: todd@appealsplus.com

Location Details

InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel
701 Congress Avenue
Austin Texas

Presenter(s): Supreme Court of Texas

Anniversary Celebrations at the Supreme Court of Texas Courtroom

Welcome Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Anniversary Tributes

170th Anniversary of the Supreme Court of Texas
Remarks by Mr. Roland K. Johnson, President, State Bar of Texas

20th Anniversary of Texas Supreme Court Historical Society
Remarks by Mr. Larry McNeill, President, Texas Supreme Court Historical Society

Response by the Court Justice Nathan L. Hecht

Closing Comments Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Reception to follow at the Hatton Sumners Conference Room in the Texas Law Center

170th Anniversary of the Supreme Court of Texas

The first session of the Supreme Court of Texas took place in Austin on the morning of January 13, 1840. Chief Justice Thomas J. Rusk presided over the Republic Era Court, comprised of judges drawn from the five district courts then in existence. Chief Justice Rusk was actually the third chief justice of the Republic, the first two having left office before the first Court was convened. Minutes from that first session have been lost, or were never written, and only newspaper accounts survive from that time. The Court's January 1840 term lasted two weeks.

20th Anniversary of the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society

The Texas Supreme Court Historical Society was established on January 13, 1990, the Court's sesquicentennial. The idea for the Society had arisen from a conversation between Justice Jack Hightower and Dr. Lyn Phillips, wife of then Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips. Three former chief justices - Robert W. Calvert, Joe R. Greenhill, and Jack Pope - signed the articles of incorporation that created the Society. Justice Hightower served as its first president, holding that office from 1990 to 1998.

Justice Eva M. Guzman was appointed to the Court in October 2009 after serving as a justice on the 14th District Court of Appeals in Houston. Before that, she was a Harris County district court judge and practiced law in Houston. She is a University of Houston and South Texas College of Law graduate.

Texas House of Representatives Chamber
2 p.m., January 11, 2010

Call to Order Mr. Blake Hawthorne, Clerk of the Supreme Court

Presentation of Colors Texas Department of Public Safety Region 6 Color Guard

National Anthem Judge Jennifer Elrod United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Pledges of Allegiance Melanie Guzman, to the United States of America Melissa Olguin and Crystal Olguin to the Texas State Flag Justice Leslie Brock Yates Texas Court of Appeals, 14th District

"America the Beautiful" Brett Busby

Invocation Pastor Randy Phillips PromiseLand West, Austin

Recognition of Special Guests Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Tribute to Scott A. Brister Justice Nathan L. Hecht

Remarks Justice Brister

Presentation of Eva M. Guzman Justice Kem Thompson Frost, Texas Court of Appeals, 14th District

Remarks U.S. Senator John Cornyn

Chair: Larry B. Pascal
Vice Chair: Leland C. De La Garza

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

I. INTRODUCTION / PRESENTATION

1. Commencement of Meeting/Opening Remarks - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson (5 minutes)
2. Introductions - Larry Pascal, Chair (5 minutes)
3. Presentation on International Law Practice in Texas and follow-up questions - Larry Pascal, Chair (15 minutes)

II. BREAK (5 minutes)

III. DISCUSSION

1. The LLM Educational Perspective / Considerations (10 minutes)
2. The State Bar of Texas Perspective / Considerations (10 minutes)
3. Board of Law Examiners Perspective / Considerations (10 minutes)
4. The Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee Perspective / Considerations (10 minutes)
5. The Corporate Counsel Perspective / Considerations (5 minutes)
6. Open Discussion (5 minutes)
7. Moving Forward (5 minutes)
8. Next Meeting (5 minutes)
9. Adjournment

Panel:
Carl Reynolds
Tony Fabelo
Dottie Carmichael
Bob Wessels

Staff:
Alice McAfee, Mary Cowherd, Glenna Bowman, Andy Barbee, Angela Garcia, Diane Greene, Jim Bethke, Joel Lieurance, Mena Ramon, Ted Wood, Bruce Hermes

Observers:
Janelle Collier, Kara Crawford, Cory Pomeroy, House Judiciary, Kathy Panaszek, Bryan Hebert, Lisa Kaufman, Tina Beck, Mike Schofield

Goal:
An objective, fair method for OCA and committees on both sides of the legislature to evaluate (1) the overall need for new district courts; and (2) discrete requests for new district courts.

Background:

In previous sessions OCA would prepare a 10 factor analysis for each county requesting a new district court and Senator Wentworth would prepare an omnibus new courts bill containing those counties meeting a criterion such as "7 of 10 factors in favor of a new district court." The House followed this lead but Judiciary did not request analysis from OCA. (And both House and Senate are more lenient with regard to creating county courts at law at county expense.) OCA contracted for a weighted caseload study to determine workload for district courts as opposed to simply filings, and to compare the judicial officers available in a given jurisdiction with that workload (based on filings times minutes per case). The study is imperfect but a major improvement on the 10 factor analysis. And, the State Bar Court Administration Task Force has recommended that the Legislature adopt rules to more objectively determine the need for new courts.

Information Available:

Weighted caseload study case weights, applied to 2008 filings across the state. Fillings are generally down and suggest the need for fewer additional judges than did the original study. Harris County remains an anomaly, with suggested need far in excess of what the local actors would request from the state. Some rural areas are also "underjudged," according to this data, but have not requested a new court. Other counties show a need for more resources but there will be debate about how many. Still other counties are requesting or will request courts, without this data showing the need.

Rank order by the percentage of new judicial FTEs needed. A county showing need for 1.0 FTE, that has 2.0 FTEs currently, has greater need than a county needing 1.0 FTEs that currently has 7.0. OCA has a census of each counties' judicial FTEs, but it may need to be updated.

Information regarding local effort. It may be necessary to gauge local effort in order to determine the merits of requests for new district courts. At a minimum the state should know that a locality has considered the use of CCLs, associate judges, judicial administrative staff etc. to improve case processing, prior to seeking the state and local investment in a new district court, with all that entails in terms of physical plant and operating expenses. OCA recently conducted a survey of county auditors to learn how much is spent running the court system locally (operating expenses only, not including amortization of physical plant). The results from a sample had to be extrapolated to account for all counties, so this information could not be used directly to measure a particular counties' effort. However the template for reporting information could be reused for counties requesting a court, to determine local expenditures for comparison to the statewide effort depicted by the survey. There is also at hand a proxy for local effort, the TFID data showing local expenditures versus state, for purposes of appointed counsel for indigents.

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

Texas Supreme Court justices will take testimony December 10 on needs and accomplishments by state legal aid organizations providing civil law services for the poor.

The public hearing, set for 2 p.m. in the Court's courtroom in Austin, will feature reports from the Texas Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Texas. Other groups and people who want to testify should give written notice to the Court no later than Decmber 8, indicating whether the comments will be in person at the hearing or submitted in writing, or both.

The Texas Access to Justice Commission serves as the umbrella organization for all efforts to expand access to justice in civil matters for low-income Texans. It was created as a result of hearing on the status of low-income legal services in September 2001.

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds
III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IV. Legislative Committee Report - Chief Justice Linda Thomas
V. Other Reports and Action Items
a. Task Force on Indigent Defense - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
b. Judicial Data Management Committee - Mary Cowherd
c. Judicial Compensation Commission - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VI. New Business - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VII. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VIII. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

Justice James A. Baker served for almost seven years on the Texas Supreme Court following his appointment in 1995 by then-Gov. George W. Bush. Before that he spent close to nine years on the Dallas Court of Appeals.

He was reared in the Park Cities. Dallas and SMU were home. When he and his wife Clauda left Austin after his retirement from the Court, they came back to Dallas to live across Hillcrest from campus. He was a 1953 SMU graduate and a 1957 graduate of the law school. In 2001 the Dedman School of Law honored him as a distinguished alumnus for his judicial service and SMU named him as distinguished alumnus in 2004.

In 1958 he helped found the Goldberg, Alexander and Baker law firm in Dallas and in 1972 the Weber, Baker and Allums firm. In 1979 he started the Law Office of James A. Baker.

He was elected to the Dallas Court of Appeals court in 1986, serving on it until his appointment to the Supreme Court. He retired in 2002, then led the appellate practice group at what was then Hughes & Luce L.L.P. The Texas chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates named him Judge of the Year in 2001. The Dallas chapter honored him as Outstanding Civil Judge in 1993. He was a member of the American Law Institute.

His demeanor seemed formal - he used courtesy titles for almost everyone, even Mrs. Baker - but he was hardly stiff. In Austin he was quick to don jeans and ready to join staff at the Broken Spoke. Mr. Justice Baker showed interest and respect and got loyalty and affection - got love, actually - in return. His friends called him Jaim, or Jaime - Spanish for James, a nickname he answered to since he was a boy. His jurisprudence will live on, to be sure, but for those who worked with him he also will be remembered for a mighty and precise pen. Stripped to its essence, the law begins as words, he knew, and he demanded - in thought, in grammar, in syntax. He killed many an unnecessary phrase and loathed string-along prepositional phrases.

He died at 77. Two days before, despite cancer spreading through his body, he worked a last day at the office. Mr. Justice Baker had clients to represent and the law to serve.

In Memoriam

JUSTICE JAMES A. BAKER
March 30, 1931 - June 22, 2008

Supreme Court Convenes
Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Invocation
The Rev. Dr. Sherwood M. Strodel

Tribute
Retired Justice Craig Enoch

Response from the Baker Family
David Baker Lassetter, grandson

Response from the Court
Justice Harriet O'Neill

Recognition of Special Guests
Justice Nathan L. Hecht

Benediction
The Rev. L. Nelson Bell, II

Adjournment
Chief Justice Jefferson

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

Chief Justice John Hill was the only person in Texas history to serve as secretary of state, attorney general and chief justice. He retired from the Court in 1988 after three years.

Hill also ran twice for governor, the last time losing narrowly in 1979 to Bill Clements. As chief justice he championed reform of the state's partisan election of judges, arguing for a system to select judges based on merit. Hill was replaced as chief justice by Thomas R. Phillips, who continued the cause of changing judicial selection in Texas.

Hill died after complications developed during surgery to implant a heart pacemaker. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Ann (Bitsy) Hill; three children, Melinda Elizabeth Hill Perrin, John Graham Hill and Harris County District Judge Martha Hill Jamison; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Born in Breckenridge, Texas, John Luke Hill Jr. was one of two children in an oil field-following family. A highly successful school debater, he once said he knew "from early on" he would be a lawyer, that he loved to argue and to try to persuade. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1947. He served as secretary of state from 1966 to 1968, when he ran for governor as a Democrat in a race that Preston Smith won. In 1972 he ran for attorney general and won, serving until 1979, when he resigned to run for governor a second time.

As attorney general, Hill established regional offices around the state, authored and championed the Texas Deceptive Trades Practices Consumer Protection Act and prominently prosecuted polluters. He was honored in 1975 by Washington Monthly magazine as the outstanding state attorney general in the country.

In 1984 he was elected to replace retiring Chief Justice Jack Pope. He returned to private practice as a partner at what was then Houston's Locke Liddell Sapp L.L.P. and in 2005 joined Winstead P.C.

Hill was honored with the Leon Green Award for Outstanding Service to the Legal Profession; the American Judicature Society's Herbert Hawley Award; the Marc Gold Award for Outstanding Service to the Mentally Retarded; the Karen H. Susman Jurisprudence Award; the Lola Wright Foundation Award for Legal Ethics; and distinguished alumnus of the University of Texas and the UT Law School's Lifetime Achievement Award.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

In Memoriam

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN LUKE HILL Jr.
October 29, 1923 - July 9, 2007

Supreme Court Convenes
Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Invocation
Retired Chief Justice Thomas R. Phillips

Tribute
Retired Justice Raul Gonzalez

Response from the Hill Family
Mike Perrin

Response from the Court
Justice Phil Johnson

Recognition of Special Guests
Justice Nathan L. Hecht

Benediction
Chief Justice Phillips

Adjournment
Chief Justice Jefferson

Texas Supreme Court advisory
Contact: Osler McCarthy,
Staff Attorney for Public Information
(512) 463.1441 or email: osler.mccarthy@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

V. Other Committee Reports
a. Judicial Conduct Procedures - Judge Polly Spencer
b. Reporting Judicial Travel Expenses - Judge Kelly Moore

VI. Other Reports and Action Items
a. Task Force on Indigent Defense - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
b. Judicial Data Management Committee - Mary Cowherd
c. Judicial Compensation Commission - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
d. Task Force on Judicial Readiness in Times of Emergency - Carl Reynolds
VII. New Business - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
VIII. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
IX. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Peter S. Vogel, Chair April 11, 2008
Office of Court Administration - 205 West 14th Street, Suite 600 -Austin, Texas 78701 - 512-463-1625

JCIT and Clerks eFiling Meeting
Texas Supreme Court Courtroom (Austin)

MEETING AGENDA
Discuss results of January 4, 2008 eFiling Summit
Discuss March 14, 2008 JCIT eFiling Subcommittee
Meeting
Update on eFiling from BearingPoint
Establish proposed standard document filing types
Proposed changes to the Rules of Civil Procedure for
eFiling
DALLAS 1899760v3

This is a presentation regarding the new managed health care model for children in foster care in Texas. Superior Healthcare will explain the manner in which the new health care model was designed to meet the special needs of foster children and the manner in which it is being implemented, and will provide information that judges, attorneys, and others may find useful in evaluating the medical services available to children in foster care and advocating for children's medical needs.

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

IV. Judicial IOLTA Accounts - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

V. Other Reports and Action Items
a. Task Force on Indigent Defense - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
b. Judicial Data Management Committee - Mary Cowherd
c. Weighted Caseload Study - Mary Cowherd & Brian Ostrom
d. Repaying Debts Project - Carl Reynolds

VI. Conference of Chief Justices Resolutions - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
a. In Support of the 20th Annual Meeting of the National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts
b. In Support of Efforts to Ensure Adequate Court Interpretation Services
c. In Support of Efforts to Increase State and Territorial Judicial Compensation
d. In Support of the National Center for State Courts' Effort to Secure Federal Funding for its State Courts Improvement Initiative
e. In Support of the Efforts by the U.S. Congress to Promote Respect for Principles of Federalism and Separation of Powers
f. Resolution Regarding Adoption of Rules on Temporary Practice by Foreign Lawyers

VII. New Business - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

VIII. Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

IX. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Welcome and Opening Remarks - Hon. Don Willett and Denise Davis
II. Adoption of Minutes, Dec. 13, 2007 Meeting
III. Visitor Presentations
a. Charles R. Fulbruge III, Clerk, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

b. John Tarlton Olivier, Clerk of Court, Supreme Court of Louisiana
c. Carolyn Ortwein, National Center for State Courts
IV. Committee Reports
a. Border Issues - Hon. Katherine Olivares
b. Coordination - Elene Harger
c. Interim Plan - Hon. Olen Underwood
d. Legislation/Judicial Procedures - Hon. Kelly Moore
e. Technology - Hon. Adele Hedges
V. Other Business
VI. Adjourn

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

Supreme Court Courtroom
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
Austin, Texas

Agenda

Overview
A. Welcome
B. Project status
C. Meeting goals and objectives

Time Study
A. Participation
B. Case types and filings
C. Case weights

Results
A. Measuring workload
B. Implied need

Judge year value
A. Defining the judge year value
B. Alternative values

Issues
A. Finalizing the model
B. JNAC feedback
C. Next steps

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Welcome & Opening Remarks - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson/Denise Davis

II. Introductions

III. Discussions of Supreme Court Order & Charge - Justice Don R. Willett

IV. Background
a. A National Perspective - Carolyn E. Ortwein, National Center for State Courts
b. The Texas Experience - Judge Olen Underwood, Presiding Judge, 2nd Judicial Region
c. Survey Results - Kristin Creel, Office of Court Administration

V. Discussion of Emergency Management Issues - Denise Davis

VI. Work Plan - Denise Davis
a. Committee Assignments
b. Timeline

VII. Other Business

VIII. Adjourn

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds

III. Introduction of New Members - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

IV. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

V. Reports
a. Commission on Children, Youth & Families - Hon. Harriet O'Neill & Tina Amberboy
b. Task Force on Indigent Defense - Presiding Judge Sharon Keller & Jim Bethke
c. Judicial Data Management Committee - Mary Cowherd
d. Weighted Caseload Study - Mary Cowherd
e. Judicial Compensation Commission - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
f. Supreme Court of Texas webcasting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
g. Task Force to Ensure Judicial Readiness in Times of Emergency - Denise Davis
h. State Bar Court Administration Task Force - Carl Reynolds
i. H.B. 1380 court security incident reporting - Kristin Creel
j. Texas Data-Enabled Courts for Kids (TexDECK) - Carl Reynolds
k. Texas Appellate Management & E-filing System (TAMES) - Carl Reynolds
l. Automated Registry - Carl Reynolds

VI. Discussion of 81st Legislature- Carl Reynolds

VII. Discussion of New Projects for Judicial Council - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

VIII. Other Business/Next Meeting - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

IX. Adjournment - Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us

The Supreme Court of Texas will consider public comment at a hearing on Tuesday, September 25, 2007, beginning at 9:00 a.m., at 201 West 14th Street, Austin, Texas, concerning the creation of a permanent judicial commission to help child-protection courts better serve children, youth and families in the foster-care system. Foster care protects children who are not safe in their own homes due to abuse or neglect. On any given day in Texas, approximately 20,000 children live in foster care, with more than 4,000 waiting to be adopted. National and state leaders have been invited to share their knowledge and views on the potential for such a commission. This historic hearing will take place before the Court begins hearing cases in the new term, emphasizing the important role courts play in the lives of children, youth and families in the child-protection system.

AGENDA
SUPREME COURT COURTROOM
201 W. 14th Street, 1st Floor
AUSTIN, TEXAS

Action and Discussion Items:

I. Commencement of Meeting - Judge Kelly Moore

II. Attendance of Members - Carl Reynolds

III. Minutes of Previous Meeting - Judge Kelly Moore

IV. Reports
Task Force on Indigent Defense - Jim Bethke
Judicial Data Management Committee - Judge Sharolyn Wood & Mary Cowherd
Weighted Caseload Study - Judge Orlinda Naranjo & Mary Cowherd

V. Legislative Issues
Notable legislation - Lisa Hobbs, General Counsel, Supreme Court of Texas
Review of Judicial Council legislative resolutions - Carl Reynolds

VI. Other Business/Next Meeting - Judge Kelly Moore

VII. Adjournment - Judge Kelly Moore

Questions or Comments:
judicial.council@courts.state.tx.us