SRC-AAA S.B. 1383 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1383
By: Harris
Jurisprudence
4-16-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, judges in county criminal court cannot appoint magistrates. In
the interest of judicial efficiency the county criminal court judges of
Tarrant County have requested the ability to appoint magistrates. S.B.
1383 requires each judge of a county criminal court of Tarrant County to
appoint a certain number of magistrates set by the commissioners court. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1383 requires each judge of a county criminal court of
Tarrant County to appoint a certain number of magistrates set by the
commissioners court. 

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 54.651(a), to require each judge of a county
criminal court of Tarrant County to appoint a certain number of
magistrates set by the commissioners court. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.656(a), Government Code, to authorize a judge
to refer an occupational driver's license hearing to a magistrate. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 54.659, Government Code, to require a court to
provide a court reporter to record the proceedings before a magistrate, at
the request of a party in a felony case. 

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