BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2071 By: Lewis of Tarrant 4-18-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, either party in a civil case can object to the assignment of a judge as permitted under Section 74.053 of the Government Code. PURPOSE This bill would allow either party in a criminal case to object to an assigned judge. 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 74.053(b) of the Government Code to allow a party to a criminal case to file one objection to an assigned judge. SECTION 2. Effective date. Application of act. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted on April 6, 1995, the Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a public hearing on April 18, 1995, to consider H.B. 2071. The Chair laid out H.B. 2071 and recognized the author, Rep. Lewis, to explain the bill. Keith Hampton, representing the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, testified for the bill. Rep. Goodman moved to report H.B. 2071 favorably back to the full House, without amendment, with the recommendation that it do pass, be printed and sent to the Committee on Calendars. The motion prevailed by the following record vote: 5 ayes, 1 nay, 0 PNV and 3 absent.