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.