SRC-AAA S.B. 967 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 967
By: Nelson
Jurisprudence
3-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the probate court of Denton County  is going through some
technical restructuring.  The problem is that the court is not maximizing
its use.  This bill provides for consent transfer of concurrent
jurisdiction between district courts in Denton County and the probate
court in Denton County, and provides technical corrections. This allows
for maximum use and efficiency of the court. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 967 provides for consent transfer of concurrent
jurisdiction between district courts in Denton County and the probate
court in Denton County, and provides technical corrections.  

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(c), Government Code, to provide that the
statutory county courts of Denton County sit to serve the best interest of
the parties, including to protect, rather than only for the protection of,
wards or mental health respondents. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.0632(g), Government Code, to provide an
exception that in misdemeanor court and any other case in which the court
has jurisdiction concurrent with a constitutional county court, a jury is
composed of six members. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 25.0635, Government Code, by amending
Subsections (a) and (d) and by adding Subsection (e), to provide that a
statutory probate court in Denton County has the jurisdiction  provided by
law for a county court and the civil jurisdiction provided by the
constitution and by law  for a district court.  Provides that a statutory
probate court has jurisdiction over the adjudication of any land title
dispute.  Authorizes exchanges between a judge of a statutory probate
court of Denton County and a district judge of Denton County in the same
manner that judges of district courts exchange benches and transfer cases
under Section 24.303, Government Code.  

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.