SRC-SLL, SLL H.B. 3507 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3507
By: Merritt (Ratliff)
Jurisprudence
4-30-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Gregg County Court at Law does not have jurisdiction over
family law matters.  Many county courts at law have this jurisdiction;
however, the Act creating the county court at law in Gregg County did not
include this jurisdiction.  This jurisdiction would enable the court to
hear uncontested divorce and other family law matters when the judge in
the 307th Family District Court is unavailable.  This bill will also grant
the Gregg County Court at Law jurisdiction in family law matters. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3507 grants the Gregg County Court at Law jurisdiction
in family law matters. 

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 25.0942, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(a), to provide that, in addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
25.0003 and other law, a county court of law in Gregg County has
concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases and
proceedings. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.