PMWJ H.B. 3507 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 3507
By: Merritt
4-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

  
 On November 6, 1996, the Gregg County Commissioner's Court and Board of
Judges requested support for legislation adding family law matters to the
jurisdiction of the Gregg County Court at Law.  Many County Courts at Law
have this jurisdiction; however, the Act creating the Gregg County Court
didn't include this jurisdiction.  This legislation would enable the CCL
judge to hear uncontested divorce and other family law matters when the
judge in the 307th Family District Court is unavailable. 


PURPOSE

 This bill adds family law jurisdiction to Gregg County's statutory county
courts. 


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 adds a new Subsection (a) to Tex. Gov't Code ' 25.0942 to
provide that a Gregg County Court at Law has concurrent jurisdiction with
the district court in family law cases. 

 SECTION 2.  Effective date.

 SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.