BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 1552
By: Cuellar of Webb
March 14, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

     This section of the Government Code, affecting only Webb
County, was amended in the past and it inadvertently required that
criminal cases be filed at random.  This could conceivably impact
on the District Attorney's right to present cases to the respective
grand juries of each court.


PURPOSE

     This bill allows the Webb County assistant district attorneys
to stay with a case assigned prior to indictment.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

     It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not
expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution.


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1 amends Section 24.151(f) of the Government Code to remove
criminal cases in   Webb County from the requirement that such
cases be assigned and docketed at random.

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

     Pursuant to a public notice posted March 8, 1995, in
accordance with House rules, the Committee on Judicial Affairs met
in a public hearing on March 14, 1995, to consider House Bill 1552. 
The Chair recognized the author, Rep. Henry Cuellar, to explain the
bill.  Monica Notzon, representing the Webb County District
Attorney's Office and Webb County judges, testified for H.B. 1552. 
There were no other witnesses for, against or neutral on the bill. 
Rep. Solis moved that H.B. 1552 be reported back to the full House,
without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass, be
printed and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars. 
The motion prevailed by the following record vote:  6 ayes, 0 nays,
0 PNV and 3 absent.