SRC-HRD S.B. 744 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 744 By: Lucio Finance 3-4-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, juvenile referrals to the court system increase every year. In 1995 alone, juvenile referrals increased 12.7 percent from the previous year. The overextended conditions of many judicial districts sometimes lead judges to detain juveniles for extended periods which, in turn, contributes to the overcrowding of detention facilities. In some cases this also compels judges to release juvenile offenders who should be detained. This bill would create the 416th Judicial District in Cameron County and require priority to be given to juvenile and family law cases. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 744 provides that the 416th Judicial District is created in Cameron County and that juvenile and family law cases have priority in this district. 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 Section 24.559, as follows: Sec. 24.559. 416TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON COUNTY). Provides that the 416th Judicial District is composed of Cameron County. Requires the 416th Judicial District to give preference to juvenile and family law cases. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.