SRC-AXB H.B. 1896 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1896
76R7351  RJA-FBy: Keel (Barrientos)
Criminal Justice
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, there is one criminal law magistrate in Travis County. This
judge works for and is appointed by the district court judges. The law
allows the district court judges to hire as many criminal law magistrates
as they need. Furthermore, the law sets the salary of the criminal law
magistrate so that it may not be less than that of the salary of a family
law master. Travis County is responsible for paying these salaries.  In the
near future, a new county owned jail facility will be opened and the county
will want to take over the functions of the magistrate and use county staff
and judges. The duties of the county staff and judges acting in this
capacity will be similar to, but less responsible than the duties of a
criminal law magistrate, and accordingly the salary should reflect the
duties.  H.B. 1896 expands salary provisions for a criminal law magistrate
in Travis County. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1896 expands salary provisions for a criminal law
magistrate in Travis 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 54.973(b), Government Code, to prohibit a salary
from being less than that of a master appointed under Chapter 201A, Family
Code, unless a lesser salary is recommended by the judges described by
Section 54.971, Government Code, and approved by the commissioners court. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.