SRC-AAA S.B. 726 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 726
By: Shapleigh
Jurisprudence
3-5-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, El Paso County has five county courts at law, three of which
are dedicated primarily to civil law matters.  In calendar year 1996,
county residents filed over 15,000 criminal misdemeanor cases.  This bill
creates County Courts at Law Numbers 6 and 7 of El Paso County, designated
as criminal misdemeanor courts, and provides for their administration and
the assignment of judges. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 726 creates County Courts at Law Numbers 6 and 7 of El
Paso County and provides for their administration and the assignment of
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 25.0731(a), Government Code, by adding County
Courts at Law Numbers 6 and 7 to El Paso County. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 75.014, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 75.014. EL PASO COUNCIL OF JUDGES. (a)  Sets forth the composition of
the El Paso Council of Judges to include the judge of the probate court of
El Paso County. 

(e)  Sets forth the designation and responsibilities of County Courts at
Law Numbers 6 and 7 of El Paso. 

(f)  Sets forth requirements for designation of criminal misdemeanor
courts and family courts. 

(f-1)  Requires the council of judges to designate two county courts at
law, in addition to County Court at Law Number 6 of El Paso County as
criminal misdemeanor courts. Provides that this section expires October 2,
1998. 

(g)  Requires the council of judges to order the assignment, docketing,
and transfer of a specified number or percentage and type of family law
cases and proceedings, as defined by Section 25.0002, to the county court
at law designated as a family court under Subsection (f).  Authorizes the
council of judges to order certain actions pertaining to family law
courts, if funding for more than one criminal law magistrate is not
continued. Deletes provisions setting forth authorized actions of the
council of judges pertaining to excessive caseloads and assignment of
judges. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 25.0732(r), Government Code, to provide that
Sections 25.0006(b) and 25.0007, Government Code, do not apply to County
Courts at Law Number 6 or 7.  

SECTION 4. Provides that County Courts at Law Numbers 6 and 7 are created
on October 1, 1998, or on an earlier date determined by the commissioners
court. 
 
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.