BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3354
87R12096 YDB-F	By: Burrows (Perry)
	Jurisprudence
	5/18/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

It has been noted that the population of Lubbock County is outgrowing the statutory bracket allowing a justice of the peace court to conduct business in the Lubbock County Courthouse even if the courthouse is located outside of the court's precinct. H.B. 3354 seeks to address this issue by updating the population bracket in an exception that authorizes a Lubbock County justice of the peace court to conduct business in a building outside of the court's precinct.

H.B. 3354 amends current law relating to the location of certain justice courts.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 292.001(d), Local Government Code, as follows:

(d) Prohibits a justice of the peace court from being housed or conducted in a building located outside the court's precinct except as provided by Section 27.051(f) (regarding holding court in a county with a population of less than 30,000 persons) or 27.0515 (Location for Court Proceedings and Terms and Sessions of Court Following Certain Disasters), Government Code, or unless the justice of the peace court is situated in the county courthouse in a county with a population of at least 305,000 persons and the county seat of which is located in the Llano Estacado region of this state, rather than in a county of a least 275,000 persons but no more than 285,000 persons.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021.