BILL ANALYSIS


                                                        S.B. 1652
                                                    By: Zaffirini
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          4-27-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

The Bee County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the
creation of a court to process civil, juvenile, criminal, probate,
and mental commitment cases in a rapid and efficient manner.  The
caseloads in the Bee County Court and district courts have
increased significantly in the last two years.  Additionally, the
new court will be helpful in processing the hundreds of new cases
that are being filed in the district courts by Texas Department of
Criminal Justice prisoners.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1652 creates a statutory county court in Bee
County.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 25C, Government Code, by adding Sections
25.0151 and 25.0152, as follows:

     Sec. 25.0151.  BEE COUNTY.  Provides that Bee County has one
     statutory county court, the County Court at Law of Bee County.
     
     Sec. 25.0152.  BEE COUNTY COURT AT LAW PROVISIONS.  (a)
     Provides that a county court at law in Bee County has
     concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law
     cases and proceedings and with the district court in criminal
     cases.
     
     (b) Provides that a county court at law has concurrent
       jurisdiction with the justice court in all criminal matters
       prescribed by law for justice courts.  Provides that this
       subsection does not affect the right of appeal to a county
       court at law from a justice court where the right of appeal
       to the county court exists by law.
       
       (c) Authorizes the judge to appoint a court coordinator or
       administrative assistant (assistant) for a county court at
       law.  Provides that an assistant performs the duties
       prescribed by the judge and cooperates with the
       administrative judges and state agencies for the operation
       of the courts and the administration of justice.  Entitles
       the assistant to be paid from county funds the compensation,
       fees, and allowances set by the commissioners court or as
       otherwise provided by law.
       
       (d) Provides that the district clerk serves as clerk of a
       county court at law in matters of concurrent jurisdiction
       with the district court, and requires the county clerk to
       serve as clerk in all other cases.  Requires the
       commissioners court to provide the deputy clerks, bailiffs,
       and other personnel necessary to operate a county court at
       law.
       
       (e) Requires the county attorney and the county sheriff to
       attend a county court at law as required by the judge.
     SECTION 2.     Provides that the County Court at Law of Bee County is
created January 1, 1998, or on an earlier date determined by the
commissioners court.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.