BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 3169
By: Seidlits
4-20-95
Committee Report (Amended)


BACKGROUND

     Due to the excessive volume of cases in the district courts,
many important cases are not adjudicated in a timely fashion.  Many
county courts take on expanded jurisdiction in order to handle the
workload. 


PURPOSE

     House Bill 3169 expands the jurisdiction of Grayson County
Court at Law and sets a new minimum salary of the county court at
law 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 25.0932(a), Government Code by
expanding the jurisdiction of the county court at law.

     SECTION 2 adds new Subsection (g) to Section 25.0932 of the
Government Code to allow the district court to transfer cases to
the county court.

     SECTION 3 amends Section 25.0932(h), Government Code by
setting out a new minimum salary for county court at law judge's
salary which is set by the county commissioners court.

     SECTION 4.  Effective date.

     SECTION 5.  Emergency clause.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

     Committee Amendment No. 1 changes the new minimum salary. 
Currently, the judge must be paid a salary that does not exceed
that of the county attorney.  The bill contains a new minimum
salary at least equal to $75,000.


SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

     Pursuant to a public notice posted on March 15, 1995, the
Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a public hearing on March 21,
1995.  The Chair referred H.B. 3169 directly to the Subcommittee on
Judicial Reform.  The subcommittee members were Reps. Alonzo
(Chair), Duncan, Solis, Thompson and Willis.
     Pursuant to a public notice posted on March 30, 1995, the
Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a public hearing on April 4,
1995, to consider H.B. 3169.  The Chair, Rep. Hartnett, recalled
H.B. 3169 from subcommittee and recognized Rep. Thompson to explain
the bill.  There were no witnesses.  Rep. Thompson moved to leave
H.B. 3169 pending before the committee.  There being no objection,
the bill was left pending.
     Pursuant to a public notice posted on April 6, 1995, the
Committee on Judicial Affairs met in a formal meeting on April 20,
1995.  The Chair laid out H.B. 3169, which was left pending at the
committee's April 4th meeting, and explained.  The Chair offered,
laid out and explained committee amendment #1.  The Chair moved
adoption of the amendment.  There were no objections.  Rep. Goodman
moved that H.B. 3169 be reported favorably back to the full House,
as amended, with the recommendation that it do pass, be printed and
sent to the Local & Consent Calendars Committee.  The motion
prevailed by the following record vote:  6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 PNV and
3 absent.