SRC-JFA H.B. 1974 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1974
By: McCall (Shapiro)
Intergovernmental Relations
5-6-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Chapter 32 of the Government Code provides for authorization to
pay a salary supplement to district judges on a county-by-county basis.
Collin County is not specifically  included in Chapter 32, Government
Code.  This bill would authorize the Commissioners Court of Collin County
to disperse salary supplements to district judges as other counties
currently do.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1974 authorizes the Commissioners Court of Collin County
to disperse a salary supplement to a district judge.   

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 Chapter 32A, Government Code, by adding Section 32.042,
as follows:  

Sec. 32.043.  COLLIN COUNTY.  Authorizes the Commissioners Court of Collin
County (commissioners court) to budget for and pay the judges of the
district courts having jurisdiction in the county an annual salary set by
the commissioners court for services rendered and for performing
administrative services.  Requires the salary to be paid in equal biweekly
or monthly installments from the county general fund or other available
fund. Provides that the salary is in addition to the salary paid by the
state and other authorized compensation.  Prohibits the combined yearly
salary from state and county sources received by each judge from exceeding
an amount equal to $1,000 less than the highest combined yearly salary
from state and county sources received by a justice of the court of
appeals in the court of appeals district in which the judicial district is
located.  

SECTION 2. Provides that all prior acts by the commissioners court in
budgeting for and paying the judges of the district courts having
jurisdiction in the county a reasonable salary for services rendered and
for performing administrative services are validated as of the dates on
which those acts occurred.  Provides that this section does not apply to a
prior act that on the effective date of this Act is involved in
litigation, if the litigation ultimately results in the prior act being
held invalid by a final judgment of a court; or has been held invalid by a
final judgment of a court.   

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.