BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1294
                                              By: Finnell (Brown)
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          4-27-95
                              Senate Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

Section 2 of H.B. 488, passed by the 71st Legislature, allowed
justices of the peace to designate court clerks, but did not define
the duties of the clerk.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1294 sets forth the duties for a clerk of a
justice court.

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 27.056, Government Code, as follows:

     Sec. 27.056.  CLERK.  (a) Makes no changes.
     
     (b) Authorizes the clerk of the justice court to administer
       oaths and affidavits and make certificates and affix the
       court's seal to those certificates.
       
       (c) Requires the clerk to maintain central docket records
       for all cases filed in the justice court and an index of all
       court judgments for cases arising in the justice court. 
       Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.