SRC-HRD S.B. 286 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 286
By: Harris
Finance
2-25-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Tarrant County criminal courts are experiencing a sharp
increase in case workload and it is expected that this trend will
continue.  This increase is the likely result of an increase in local
population and changing laws and prosecution strategies, especially in the
areas of juvenile and sex offenses.  This bill would create two additional
criminal district courts in Tarrant County. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 286 creates the 403rd and 407th Judicial Districts and
requires the district courts in each to give preference to criminal cases. 

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 Chapter 24C, Government Code, by adding Sections 24.547
and 24.551, as follows: 

Sec. 24.547.  403RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY).  Provides that the
403rd Judicial District is composed of Tarrant County.  Requires the 403rd
District Court to give preference to criminal cases. 

Sec. 24.551.  407TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY).  Provides that the
407th Judicial District is composed of Tarrant County.  Requires the 407th
District Court to give preference to criminal cases. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.