SRC-HRD S.B. 310 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 310
By: Brown
Finance
2-12-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, according to the Commission on Judicial Efficiency, which was
created by the 74th Legislature to evaluate the judicial system in Texas,
members of the Texas judiciary are paid less than members of the judiciary
in other populous states and the federal judiciary.  This bill would set
the salaries of Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal
Appeals at $122,912.  This is the salary of U.S. Magistrate Judges, the
lowest paid federal judges.  This bill also sets the salaries of justicies
of the courts of appeals and the salaries of district judges.    

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 310 sets forth the salaries of justices of the supreme
court and  courts of appeals, as well as district court judges.   

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 659.012, Government Code, to provide that,
notwithstanding Section 659.011, a justice of the supreme court is
entitled to an annual salary from the state of $122,912. Provides that a
justice of the court of appeals other than the chief justice is entitled
to an annual salary from the state that is five percent less than the
salary provided for a justice of the supreme court, rather than five
percent less than the salary for a supreme court justice provided by the
General Appropriations Act.  Deletes text prohibiting the combined salary
of a court of appeals justice  from exceeding the amount that is $1,000
less than the salary provided for a supreme court justice. Deletes text
prohibiting the combined salary of the chief justice of the court of
appeals from exceeding the amount that is $500 less than the salary
provided for a justice of the supreme court. Deletes text prohibiting the
salary of a district judge from exceeding the amount that is $2,000 less
than the salary provided for a justice of the supreme court.  Deletes text
requiring the comptroller to determine that the salary requirements
provided by this section are maintained.  Deletes text requiring the
comptroller to reduce a state salary by the amount of the excess if a
salary combined with a county supplement is in excess.  Makes conforming
and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 2.  Repealer:  Chapter 31, Government Code (Additional
Compensation of Justices of Courts of Appeal) and Chapter 32A, Government
Code (Supplemental Salary Paid by County). 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.