SRC-ARR H.B. 3412 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3412 76R6630 RJA-DBy: Merritt (Ratliff) Intergovernmental Relations 5/10/1999 Engrossed DIGEST The 75th Legislature granted the Gregg County Court at Law concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases and proceedings. This enabled the judge of the county court at law to hear uncontested divorce and other family cases. The Gregg County Board of Judges has requested that the court at law be granted concurrent jurisdiction with all district courts in Gregg County. H.B. 3412 would establish that jurisdiction of the County Court at Law in Gregg County. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3412 establishes the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law of Gregg 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 25.0942(a), Government Code, to provide that a county court of law in Gregg County has, except as limited by Subsection (b), concurrent with the district court, the jurisdiction provided by the constitution and general law for district courts, rather than in family cases and proceedings. SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.0942, Government Code, by adding Subsection (b), to provide that a county court at law does not have jurisdiction of felony cases involving capital murder. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.