SRC-AAA H.B. 1916 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 1916 By: Goodman (Harris) Jurisprudence 4-29-97 Committee Report (Amended) 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 requires 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 preference 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 provide that the County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County has concurrent jurisdiction within the county of all appeals from criminal convictions in Tarrant County. Requires 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. Makes a conforming change. 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. Requires the commissioners court to determine terms after the initial term. SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 7. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Amendment 1. Amends Section 25.2223, Government Code, on page 2, lines 3-4, to strike: "The County Criminal Courts Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6 of Tarrant County also have" and insert in lieu thereof: "The County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County also has."