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.