SRC-SLL S.B. 966 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 966 By: Nelson Jurisprudence 3-19-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Denton County has two courts dedicated by statute and in practice exclusively to the adjudication of criminal cases. The caseload in both existing county criminal courts is extremely heavy. The caseload is higher per court than most similar courts or system of courts in the state. As of January 31, 1997, there were 10,472 Class A and B misdemeanor cases pending in the two courts. This bill will create two additional county criminal courts in Denton County. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 966 creates two additional county criminal courts in Denton 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 Section 25.0631(a), Government Code, to provide that Denton County has County Criminal Court No. 3 of Denton County and County Criminal Court No. 4 of Denton County. SECTION 2. (a) Effective date: September 1, 1997. (b) Provides that the County Criminal Court No. 3 of Denton County is created September 1, 1997. (c) Provides that, notwithstanding Section 25.0631(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, the County Criminal Court No. 4 of Denton County is created September 1, 1998. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.