BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2373 By: Junell March 29, 1995 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the Texas Supreme Court is required, by law, to make biennial recommendations to the legislature regarding changes in the number and allocation of Courts of Appeal. The Judicial District Board, which determines the apportionment only of district courts, reports its recommendations after the decennial census. Because district court decisions are appealed to the Courts of Appeals, it makes sense to coordinate the Supreme Court's report to the legislature with the Judicial District Board's report. PURPOSE As proposed, HB 2373 will require the Supreme Court to recommend to the regular session of the legislature convening in the third year following the year in which the federal decennial census is taken any needed changes in the number or allocation of the appellate courts. 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 74.022(c), Government Code as follows: The Supreme Court will recommend to the regular session of the legislature convening in the third year following the year in which the federal decennial census is taken, rather than biennially, any needed changes in the number or allocation of the appellate courts. SECTION 2. Effective date. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted March 23, 1995, and an announcement made March 29, 1995, on the House Floor while the House was still in session, the Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a formal meeting to consider House Bill 2373. The Chair laid out H.B. 2373 and explained the bill. Rep. Goodman moved to report H.B. 2373 favorably 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: 8 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV and 1 absent.