SRC-CDH H.B. 971 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 971
By: Hartnett (Shapiro)
Jurisprudence
5-2-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, it is unclear whether Dallas County statutory county criminal
courts are the proper venue to hear driver's license suspension appeals
and applications for occupational driver's licenses.  H.B. 971 clarifies
that Dallas County's criminal courts-at-law have jurisdiction to hear
appeals of the suspension of driver's licenses and original jurisdiction
regarding the granting of occupational driver's licenses. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 971 establishes the jurisdiction of county criminal
courts in Dallas County. 

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 25.0593(a), Government Code, to provide that a
county criminal court in Dallas County has criminal jurisdiction, original
and appellate, provided by the constitution and law for county courts and
concurrent jurisdiction with county courts at law for Dallas County to
hear appeals of the suspension of driver's licenses and original
proceedings regarding occupational driver's licenses. 

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.