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.