PMWJ S.B. 743 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS JUDICIAL AFFAIRS S.B. 743 By: Lucio (Hinojosa) 5-21-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Hidalgo County has seven district courts presiding over the hearing and disposition of juvenile and family law cases. There has been a 12.7 percent increase in juvenile referrals over the previous year. This bill requires the 197th and 206th judicial district to give preference to juvenile and family law cases. PURPOSE S.B. 743 requires the 206th and 197th judicial districts to give preference to juvenile and family law cases. 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 24.376(b), Government Code, to require the 197th Judicial District to give preference to juvenile and family law matters, rather than criminal cases. SECTION 2 amends Section 24.385, Government Code, to require the 206th Judicial District to give preference to juvenile and family law matters. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date.