SRC-CDH H.B. 3190 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3190 By: Stiles (Harris) Jurisprudence 5-8-97 Engrossed DIGEST Current law permits counties to hold nonjury court proceedings outside the municipality designated as the county seat. In Jefferson County, there is a large correctional facility midway between Port Arthur and Beaumont. Transporting prisoners to the municipality for jury trials is costly to the county, and increases the chances that prisoners will escape. H.B. 3190 allows counties to conduct jury trials in places designated as auxiliary county seats, thereby allowing counties more flexibility. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3190 provides for the holding of certain court proceedings outside the municipality designated as the county seat. 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 292.002(b), Government Code, to authorize the commissioners court to authorize places located in the county but outside the municipality designated as the county seat as auxiliary courts for the holding of court, rather than nonjury court, proceedings; and to designate those places as auxiliary county seats for this purpose. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.