PMWJ H.B. 3504 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 3504
By: Kamel
4-2-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

 Because of the ever-increasing work load being placed on the already
over-crowded court dockets, the county commissioners and county judge of
Smith County are requesting that the county courts-at-law be given limited
felony jurisdiction. 


PURPOSE

 House Bill 3504 states 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. 


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 25.2142(a-1), Government Code, to provide felony
jurisdiction for a county court-at-law in Smith County, except in capital
felony cases or felonies of the first or second degree. 

 SECTION 2.  Effective date.

 SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.