PMWJ H.B. 1688 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS JUDICIAL AFFAIRS H.B. 1688 By: Kuempel 4-2-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Guadalupe County Court at Law was established under Section 25.0003 of the Government Code. Currently, the county court of law does not have jurisdiction over family law cases and juvenile matters. PURPOSE This bill establishes concurrent jurisdiction between the county court at law and the district court in family law cases and juvenile matters. The crowded court system makes it necessary to provide for concurrent jurisdiction on such matters. 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. amends Section 25.0962, Government Code, by adding Subsections (b) and (i) and amending Subsec. (f). New Subsec. (b) provides concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases and proceedings including juvenile matters. Subsec. (f) is amended to provide that the practices and procedures for county courts are applicable except all matters that pertain to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court at law that are within its concurrent jurisdiction with the district court are governed by the laws and rules pertaining to district courts and county courts. All jury cases within the concurrent jurisdiction with the district court will be tried before a jury of 12 members. Subsec. (i) is added to specify that the district clerk serves as the clerk of the county court at law in matters of concurrent jurisdiction with the district court. SECTION 2. Effective date. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.