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.