SRC-SLL H.B. 732 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 732
By: Staples (Nixon)
Jurisprudence
4-17-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Anderson County court at law has concurrent jurisdiction
with the district court in probate matters and in felony cases to conduct
arraignments, pretrial hearings, and accept guilty pleas.  In the course
of general and contested probate proceedings, Texas Trust Code issues are
regularly confronted.  The current law leads to the "splitting" of the
suit, and the suit is heard in two separate courts.  Additionally, under
the present statute, the county court at law in Anderson County regularly
hears guilty pleas in criminal cases.  In some cases in which probation
was assigned, it is later revoked.  In this instance, the case is then
heard in a court, other than the county court at law, which has
jurisdiction, but not familiarity with the case.  This bill will grant
county courts at law in Anderson County, concurrent jurisdiction with a
district court in criminal cases and actions and proceedings under Title
9B, Property Code. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 732 grants county courts at law in Anderson County
concurrent jurisdiction with a district court in criminal cases and
actions and proceedings under Title 9B, Property Code. 

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 25.0032(a), Government Code, to provide that a
county court at law in Anderson County, in addition to the jurisdiction
provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, has concurrent jurisdiction
with the district court in criminal cases and actions and proceedings
under Title 9B, Property Code. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.