PMWJ H.B. 1143 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS JUDICIAL AFFAIRS H.B. 1143 By: Patterson of Lamar 3-5-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The district courts that serve Lamar County have experienced increased caseloads, which have lead to a backlog of cases. The County Commissioners have passed a resolution requesting the legislature to create the County Court at Law of Lamar County to relieve this backlog of cases. PURPOSE H.B. 1143 establishes the County Court at Law of Lamar County. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1 adds a new Section 25.1411 to the Government Code to establish the County Court at Law of Lamar County. SECTION 2 adds a new Section 25.1412 to the Government Code. Subsec. (a) sets out the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law of Lamar County. Subsec. (b) sets out the qualifications of the judge. Subsec. (c) prohibits the statutory county judge from practicing law and provides that the judge must comply with Canon 4 of the Code of Judicial Conduct. Subsec. (d) sets out salary and expense provisions. Subsec. (e) sets out provisions for a special judge. Subsec. (f) makes provisions for the designated clerk of the statutory county clerk. Subsec. (g) makes provisions for a court reporter. Subsec. (h) provides for applicable rules of procedure and evidence. Subsec. (i) provides for the impanelment of jurors. Subsec. (j) provides for appeals from the county court at law and provides jurisdiction to the county court at law to hear appeals from a justice court or other inferior court in Lamar County. Subsec. (k) provides judicial immunity. SECTION 3. Application of the Act. SECTION 4. Effective date. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.