BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        H.B. 1642
                                          By: Patterson (Ratliff)
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          5-17-95
                                Senate Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

The Hopkins County Court at Law was created by the 72nd Legislature
with an expiration date of December 31, 1996.  The Hopkins County
Commissioners Court is seeking extension of this court with no
expiration date.

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1642 extends the existence of the Hopkins County
court of law.

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 25.1141, Government Code, to delete the
expiration date from the provision that Hopkins County has one
statutory county court, the County Court at Law of Hopkins County.

SECTION 2. Reenacts and amends Section 25.1142, Government Code,
as follows: 

     Sec. 25.1142.  HOPKINS COUNTY COURT AT LAW PROVISIONS.  (a)
     Deletes provisions providing that a county court at law in
     Hopkins County has concurrent with the county court, the
     probate jurisdiction provided by general law for county courts
     and concurrent jurisdiction with the justice court in criminal
     matters.
     
     (b)-(c) Make no changes.
       
       (d) Requires the judge of a county court at law to be paid
       an annual salary that does not exceed 80 percent of the
       annual salary paid to a district judge in the county, rather
       than an annual salary that is between 60 and 80 percent of
       the annual salary paid to a district judge in the county.
       
       (e)-(g) Make no changes.
       
       (h) Makes a conforming change.
       
       (i) Deletes the expiration date of this section. 
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1996.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.