Amend HB 455 as follows:
1) On page 1, strike lines 4-5 and substitute the following:
SECTION 1. Section 74.053, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a), (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (e) to
read as follows:
(a) When a judge is assigned under this chapter the
presiding judge shall<, if it is reasonable and practicable and if
time permits,> give notice of the assignment to each attorney
representing a party to the case that is to be heard in whole or
part by the assigned judge.
2) On page 1, line 8, strike "Subsection (d)" and substitute
"Subsections <Subsection> (d) and (e)"
3) On page 1, between lines 9 and 10 insert the following:
(c) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an <An> objection
under this section must be filed before the first hearing or trial,
including pretrial hearings, over which the assigned judge is to
preside.
(e) A party may object to a judge assigned to preside over a
trial regardless of whether:
(1) the party did not object to the assignment of the
same judge to preside over a pretrial hearing in the case; or
(2) the party objected to another judge assigned to
preside over a pretrial hearing in the case.