SRC-CDH H.B. 3504 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3504 By: Kamel (Cain) Jurisprudence 4-24-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, because of the ever-increasing work load being placed on the already overcrowded court dockets, the county commissioners and county judge of Smith County are requesting that the county courts at law be given limited felony jurisdiction. H.B. 3504 would provide that the county courts at law in Smith County do not have jurisdiction in capital felony cases or felonies of the first or second degree. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3504 establishes the jurisdiction of the county courts at law in Smith County. 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 25.2142(a-1), Government Code, to provide that a county court at law does not have jurisdiction of capital felony cases or felonies of the first or second degree. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.