By:  Smithee                                          H.C.R. No. 79
       73R2392 SMC-D
                                 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
    1-1        WHEREAS, The justice of the peace and municipal courts are
    1-2  the first and most frequent point of contact with the courts of
    1-3  this state for the ordinary citizen; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, The performance of these courts has a profound
    1-5  effect on how Texans view the judicial system, either with respect
    1-6  or disillusionment; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, In 1991, over eight million cases were filed in the
    1-8  justice of the peace and municipal courts of this state; and
    1-9        WHEREAS, The Citizens' Commission on the Texas Judicial
   1-10  System, established by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1991,
   1-11  recommended in its final report a further study of the performance
   1-12  and procedures of these courts because of the tremendous impact
   1-13  they have on the people of Texas; now, therefore, be it
   1-14        RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
   1-15  hereby request the speaker of the house of representatives and the
   1-16  lieutenant governor to create a joint interim committee to study
   1-17  the jurisdiction, procedure, fines, costs, administration,
   1-18  facilities, and operation of the justice of the peace, municipal,
   1-19  and small claims courts in the State of Texas; and, be it further
   1-20        RESOLVED, That the committee make a full report of its
   1-21  findings and recommendations to the 74th Legislature when it
   1-22  convenes in January 1995; and, be it further
   1-23        RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be
   1-24  governed by such general rules and policies for joint interim
    2-1  committees as the 73rd Legislature may adopt and that such rules
    2-2  and policies supersede the provisions of this resolution to the
    2-3  extent of any conflict.