BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 673 By: Thompson (Henderson) Jurisprudence 5-10-95 Senate Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The statutes regarding the appointment of assigned judges for most types of courts in Texas allow former judges to serve as assigned judges. The statutory probate courts only allow the assignment of current or retired judges as assigned judges. This is largely because there have been no former statutory probate judges who were not retired. Currently, there is such a judge available, who is vested, but not of retirement age. Due to the caseloads of these courts and the low number of qualified judges for assignment, these judges could still be of service to the statutory probate courts. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 673 authorizes former statutory probate judges to serve as assigned judges for the statutory probate courts. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.0022, Government Code, by amending Subsections (j), (p), and (s), and adding Subsection (x), to authorize a former judge of a statutory probate court to be assigned by the presiding judge. Sets forth requirements for a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court to be eligible for assignment under this section. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 74.054(a), Government Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 3. Amends Section 74.054(c), Government Code, to authorize a retired judge of a statutory probate court to also qualify for assignment under Section 25.0022. SECTION 4. Amends Section 74.055(c), Government Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 5. Amends Section 74.059(c), Government Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 6. Amends Sections 74.061(e) and (f), Government Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 7. Amends Section 25.0022(w), Government Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 8. Effective date: September 1, 1995. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 9. Emergency clause.