PMWJ S.B. 607 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS JUDICIAL AFFAIRS S.B. 607 By: Wentworth (Goodman) 5-21-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND An active court of appeals justice may now be assigned for limited service on a trial court bench if the justice has trial court experience. PURPOSE This bill would allow active justices of the supreme court and judges of the court of criminal appeals who have had trial court experience to also be assigned to trial courts for temporary service. Since these judges and justices promulgate rules for use by trial courts, the bill would give them practical, "hands on" experience with the rules they have promulgated. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1 amends Section 74.054(a)(5), Government Code, to allow active justices of the supreme court and judges of the court of criminal appeals who have had trial court experience to be assigned to trial courts. SECTION 2 amends Section 74.060(b) of the Government Code to prohibit trial court assignments of active supreme court, court of criminal appeals, and court of appeals justices and judges who have served 14 days or more in a year as a visiting judge. SECTION 3 amends Government Code Sec. 74.061 to make conforming changes. SECTION 4. Effective date. Emergency clause.