BILL ANALYSIS


                                                    C.S.H.B. 1552
                                      By: Cuellar, H. (Zaffirini)
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          4-27-95
                            Senate Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND

Section 24.151(f), Government Code, was amended in the past to
inadvertently require that criminal cases be filed at random by the
district clerk.  This may impact on the district attorney's right
to present cases assigned prior to indictment.

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.H.B. 1552 deletes a provision requiring criminal
cases to be assigned and docketed at random by the district court
clerk of Webb County and requires civil cases to be assigned to
courts on a percentage basis.

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 24.151(f), Government Code, to delete a
provision requiring each criminal case, except tax suits, to be
assigned and docketed at random by the district court clerk of Webb
County.  Requires civil cases to be assigned and docketed at random
according to the following percentages:  49th District Court, 20
percent; 111th District Court, 60 percent; and the 341st District
Court, 20 percent.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.