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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 310
By: Brown
Finance
4-21-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


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
provide that the salary of a Justice of the Supreme Court and Court of
Criminal Appeals is at least $102,463.  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, C.S.S.B. 310 sets forth provisions regarding 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 at least $102,463.
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 by the General Appropriations Act
for a justice of the supreme court, except that the combined salary of a
court of appeals justice may not exceed the amount that is $1,000 less
than the salary provided for a supreme court justice.  Provides that the
chief justice of a court of appeals  is entitled to an annual salary from
the state that is $500 more than the salary provided for the other
justices of the court of appeal, except that the combined salary of the
chief justice of a court of appeals may not exceed the amount that is $500
less than the salary provided for a justice of the supreme court.
Provides that a judge of the district court is entitled to an annual
salary from the state that is 10 percent less than the salary provided in
the General Appropriations Act for a justice of the supreme court, except
that unless otherwise provided by law, the combined salary of a district
judge from state and county sources may not exceed the amount that is
$2,000 less than the salary provided for a justice of the supreme court.
Makes conforming and formatting changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 74.061, Government Code, by adding Subsections
(h) and (i), to set forth provisions regarding the salary from the state
of a retired judge or justice assigned to a district court and of a former
judge or justice assigned to a district court. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.    

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends proposed Section 659.012, Government Code, to provide that a
justice of the  supreme court is entitled to an annual salary from the
state that is at least $102,463.  Provides that a justice of a 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 by the
General Appropriations Act for a justice of the supreme court, except that
the combined salary of a justice of the court of appeals other than the
chief justice may not exceed a certain amount.  Removes proposed deletions
from section.  Makes conforming, formatting, and nonsubstantive changes.  

SECTION 2.

Replaces proposed SECTION 2 with new SECTION 2 to amend Section 74.061,
Government Code, regarding salaries of certain former and retired judges
and justices.