SRC-SLL H.B. 622 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 622 By: Thompson (Ellis) Jurisprudence 4-10-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, court coordinators are not required to take continuing education courses. Changes in law and technology can affect the performance of court coordinators and the performance of the court that employs the coordinators. Adopting standard continuing education programs for court coordinators can improve efficiency of the coordinators and the efficiency of the courts that employ them. This bill will provide education requirements for court coordinators. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 825 provides education requirements for court coordinators. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 56.006, Government Code, to authorize the court of criminal appeals (court) to adopt rules for programs relating to education and training for district clerks, county clerks and court personnel, including court coordinators, as provided by Section 56.003 and for the administration of those programs. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 74E, Government Code, by adding Section 74.106, as follows: Sec. 74.106. CONTINUING EDUCATION. Requires a court coordinator of a district court or statutory county court, except as provided by Subsection (b), to annually complete 16 hours of continuing education as provided by rules adopted by the court under Chapter 56. Prohibits the court from requiring a court coordinator to complete continuing education instruction during a year in which the judge or commissioners court of the county employing the court coordinator certifies to the court that state and local funds are not available for the court coordinator's continuing education. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.