SRC-SLL S.B. 970 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 970 By: Wentworth Jurisprudence 4-4-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the term of court for all criminal courts in Bexar County is two months. The Fourth Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion that requires a felony case in which an individual has been arrested, to be indicted by the end of the grand jury term following the grand jury term in which the individual was arrested. In Bexar County this time can be as short as 59 days. In the majority of serious offenses, 59 days is not enough time to investigate and prepare a case for indictment. This bill will change the court terms in certain districts in Bexar County. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 970 changes the court terms in certain districts in Bexar 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 24.139(d), Government Code, to delete the 289th district court from those which shall give preference to criminal cases. Deletes a provision providing that the terms of certain courts begin on the first Mondays in March, May, September, and November. SECTION 2. Amends Section 24.466(c), Government Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3. Repealers: Sections 24.366(c), 24.404(c), 24.405(c), and 24.467(c), Government Code (187th, 226th, 227th, and 290th Judicial Districts (Bexar County)). SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause.