SRC-AXB H.B. 1123 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1123
By: Thompson (Cain)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/12/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, a problem exists regarding the delay in creation of district
courts in response to increasing caseloads.  In response, counties have
requested the creation of statutory county courts and increases in their
jurisdictions, in an attempt to handle surplus caseloads of the district
courts.  H.B. 1123 increases the salaries for statutory county judges to
exempt counties from paying a prescribed base salary, and sets forth state
contributions to county salary funds. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1123 increases the salaries for statutory county judges
to exempt counties from paying a prescribed base salary, and sets forth
state contributions to county salary funds. 

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 Sections 25.0005(a) and (e), Government Code, to
increase a statutory county court judge's salary by decreasing the amount
by which the salary must be less than the total annual salary of a district
judge in the county on August 31, 1999.  Exempts a county from meeting
certain salary requirements if it increases a statutory county court
judge's salary to an amount that is at least $28,000, rather than $20,000,
more than the salary the judge was entitled to at a certain time.  Deletes
text regarding judges' salaries and makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 25.0015, Government Code, to increase the amount
of fees and costs collected under Section 51.702, Government Code, from
$30,000, to $35,000, which results in certain compensation to a county.
Sets forth specific appropriation provisions for the payment of this amount
of money. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  October 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.