PMWJ H.B. 1974 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 1974
By: McCall/Madden/Denny
4-16-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

 Supplemental pay for judges in Collin County is for duties 
performed outside of typical 
judicial functions.  The support and administrative functions 
involved jointly in the Juvenile Board, 
Criminal Justice Policy Committee, Bail Bond Board, and the 
Purchasing Board on behalf of Collin 
County is significant to the functioning of the County and 
deserves appropriate additional 
compensation.


PURPOSE

 HB 1974 outlines the terms of supplemental pay for district 
judges and validates prior acts 
of the Commissioners Court in Collin County.
 Such compensation would not exceed established maximums and would 
be paid from the 
Collin County general fund.  The amount of the supplement would 
be established annually by the 
Commissioners Court along with the salaries of other elected 
officials at budget time.  A section is 
now reserved for Collin County in the statute and it allows 
Collin County to support the district 
judges in their efforts to deliver services to the citizens of 
Collin County, in addition to their state 
district judge duties.


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 new Section 32.043 to Subchapter A, Chapter 32 of 
the Government Code. 
 New Subsec. (a)  authorizes the Commissioners Court to set and 
budget an annual 
salary of the district judges  whose jurisdiction is within 
Collin County for services rendered 
and for performing administrative services.
 New Subsec. (b) provides that the district judges will be paid 
from the general fund 
in equal biweekly or monthly installments.
 New Subsec. (c) provides that this salary is in addition to that 
paid by the state or 
other authorized compensation.
 New Subsec. (d).  The district judges yearly combined salary may 
not exceed $1,000 
less than the highest combined yearly salary from state and 
county entities received by a 
justice of the court of appeals in the court of appeals district 
in which Collin County is 
located.

 SECTION 2 validates certain prior acts by the Commissioners Court.