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.