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.