SRC-MAX S.J.R. 19 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.J.R. 19 By: Wentworth Jurisprudence 2-23-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Supreme Court is authorized to sit at any time during the year at the seat of government for the transaction of business. Many of the courts of appeals and supreme courts in other states have found that conducting occasional oral arguments away from the Capitol is educational to the bench, the bar, and the public. S.J.R. 19 authorizes the Supreme Court to sit at any location in this state to transact business. PURPOSE As proposed, S.J.R. 19 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment to authorize the Supreme Court to sit at any location in this state to transact business. 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 3a, Article V, Texas Constitution, to authorize the Supreme Court to sit at any time during the year at the seat of government or, at the court's discretion, at any other location in this state for the transaction of business and each term thereof is required to begin and end with each calendar year. SECTION 2. Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997. Sets forth the required language for the ballot.