SRC-JXG H.B. 3825 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3825
76R9536 JMC-DBy: Counts (Haywood)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, county judges in the 50th Judicial District, composed of Baylor,
Cottle, King, and Knox counties, cannot accept a plea of not guilty.  In
order to set a trial date and start proceedings, the county judge must turn
the case over to the district judge.  H.B. 3825 would provide that the
district court in Baylor, Cottle, King, and Knox counties has the civil
jurisdiction of a county court, in addition to other jurisdiction provided
by law. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 3825 provides that the district court in Baylor, Cottle,
King, and Knox counties has the jurisdiction of a county court, in addition
to other jurisdiction provided by law. 

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 24.152(b), Government Code, to provide that the
district court in Baylor, Cottle, King, and Knox counties has the civil
jurisdiction of a county court, in addition to other jurisdiction provided
by law.  Deletes text regarding the jurisdiction of each county court
retained to receive and enter guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 26.235, Government Code, to provide that the
County Court of King County has the general jurisdiction of a probate court
and the general criminal jurisdiction of a county court, but has no other
civil jurisdiction.  Deletes text regarding receiving and entering guilty
pleas in misdemeanor cases. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.