BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2961
By: Luna
4-28-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

     There are eight district courts that serve Nueces County with
the court terms all starting and ending at the same time.


PURPOSE

     House Bill 2961 would reset the terms of court for the 319th
District Court in Nueces County.  The terms would be staggered so
that Nueces County would always have a Grand Jury that has been in
session for at least three months.


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 24.627, Government Code, as follows:
     (a)   Technical change.
     (b)   Sets terms for 319th District Court to start on the
           first Mondays in April and October.

     SECTION 2.  Effective date.

     SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

     Pursuant to a public notice posted on April 26, 1995, the
Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a formal meeting on April 28,
1995, to consider H.B. 2961.  The Chair laid out H.B. 2961 and
explained the bill.  Rep. Solis moved to report H.B. 2961 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:  5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV and 4 absent.