SRC-AAA S.B. 615 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 615 By: Barrientos Finance 70-9 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the population in Travis County has increased 95 percent from 295,516 in 1970 to 576,401 in 1990. The population growth has put a strain on all district courts, especially the criminal courts, and threatens a logjam of new cases and inefficiency in dealing with pending cases. The last time a district court was created for criminal matters was in 1982. S.B. 615 creates the 404th and 405th Judicial Districts in Travis County. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 615 creates the 404th and 405th Judicial Districts in Travis County. 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 24.548 and 24.549, as follows: Sec. 24.548. 404TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS COUNTY). Provides that the 404th Judicial District is composed of Travis County and is required to give preference to criminal cases. Sec. 24.549. 405TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS COUNTY). Provides that the 405th Judicial District is composed of Travis County and is required to give preference to criminal cases. SECTION 2. Creates the 404th and 405th Judicial Districts. Effective date: January 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.