SRC-AAA H.B. 1916 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1916 By: Goodman (Harris) Jurisprudence 4-25-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, there is a backlog of domestic violence cases in Tarrant County. This bill provides that Tarrant County has criminal courts which include County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County and require the court to give preferences to certain family law cases. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1916 adds County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County and requires the court to give preferences to certain family law cases. 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 25.2221(b), Government Code, to provide that Tarrant County has criminal courts which include County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County. SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.2223, Government Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (l), to require the County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County to give preference to cases brought under Title 5, Penal Code, involving family violence as defined by Section 71.01, Family Code, and cases under Sections 25.07 and 42.072, Penal Code. SECTION 3. Repealer: Sections 25.2221(d) and 25.2225, Government Code (Tarrant County). SECTION 4. (a) Provides that the County Criminal Court of Appeals of Tarrant County is redesignated as the County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County. (b) Sets forth requirements for filling the vacancy in the office of County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County. SECTION 5. Sets forth the initial term of the County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County. Require the commissioners court to determine terms after the initial term. SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 7. Emergency clause.