SRC-HRD H.B. 2727 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2727
By: Garcia (Ellis)
Jurisprudence
5-13-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

In the state's largest counties, prosecuting small civil suits, small
mortgages and liens and forcible entry and detainer cases can be very
lengthy and costly.  Justice and small claims courts in large counties
often have large staffs and the authority and ability to hear very small
civil suits.  Expanding their jurisdiction in civil suits would ease the
time and expense burden in prosecuting small civil cases and help to
alleviate the caseload burdens in county and district courts.
H.B. 2727 would expand the jurisdiction of justice and small claims courts
in Dallas and Harris counties.                                             


PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2727 expands the jurisdiction of justice and small
claims courts in Dallas and Harris counties.

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 27.031, Government Code, to provide that in
addition to the jurisdiction and powers provided by the constitution and
other law, a justice court in a county with a population of 1.89 million
or more has original jurisdiction of certain matters, cases, and
foreclosures.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 28.003, Government Code, to provide that the
small claims courts in a county with a population of 1.8 million or more
have concurrent jurisdiction with the justice court in actions by any
person for the recovery of money in which the amount involved, exclusive
of costs, does not exceed $10,000.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 36.102(b), Water Code, to authorize the board of
directors of a groundwater conservation district to set reasonable civil
penalties for breach of any rule of the district that shall not exceed the
jurisdiction of a justice court as provided by Section 27.031(a), rather
than 27.031, Government Code. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 49.004(a), Water Code, to make a conforming
changes. 

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.