PMWJ H.B. 2697 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 2697
By: Gallego
4-30-97
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND 

 Local administrative district judges serve as the spokespersons for their
colleagues.  From sitting on juvenile boards to active involvement with
the commissioner's court, administrative judges adjust their schedules to
perform their jobs and tend to their dockets and still find time to serve
as representatives for other district judges.  The willingness of
administrative judges to go the extra mile deserves additional
compensation for the efforts set forth. 


PURPOSE

 The purpose of House Bill 2697 is to provide additional compensation to
local administrative district judges. 


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 659.012, Government Code to provide that local
administrative district judges shall receive $5,000 more from the state
than other district judges. 

 SECTION 2.  Effective date.

 SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

 Committee Amendment No. 1 limits the extra pay for local administrative
judges to judges in counties with five district courts or more.