baa H.B. 3608 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
H.B. 3608
By: Hamric
5-10-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 
 
 For many years the judge of Probate Court No. 3 has had primary
responsibility for mental health proceedings in Harris County. The
statutes relating to this area have been drafted to reflect this. The
judge of Probate Court No. 3 is going to retire at the end of his current
term. The judge of Probate Court No. 4 has had secondary responsibility
for mental illness proceedings in Harris County. Many people in Harris
County feel that the more experienced of the two judges should have the
primary responsibility for these proceedings. 


PURPOSE

 The purpose of this bill is to provide that the more senior judge of the
judges serving in Probate Courts 3 and 4 of Harris County is responsible
for  administration of mental illness proceedings in Harris County.   


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 It is the opinion of this committee that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, agency, institution,
or department. 


SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

 SECTION 1 amends Section 25.1034(b), Government Code, to provide that the
more senior judge of the judges serving in Probate Courts 3 and 4 of
Harris County is responsible for all administration of mental illness
proceedings in Harris County.   

 SECTION 2.  Effective date.

 SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.