SRC-PNG H.B. 3826 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3826 76R9538 JMC-DBy: Counts (Haywood) Intergovernmental Relations 5/13/1999 Engrossed DIGEST The 50th Judicial District is composed of Baylor, Cottle, King, and Knox counties. Currently, county judges in the 50th Judicial District cannot accept a not guilty plea. In order to set a trial date and start proceedings the county judge must turn the case over to the district judge. H.B. 3826 provides 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, rather than the civil and criminal jurisdiction of a county court except for the jurisdiction each county court retains to receive and enter guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases. This bill also provides that the Baylor County court has the general criminal jurisdiction of a county court. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 3826 sets forth the jurisdiction of certain county courts. 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, rather than the civil and criminal jurisdiction of a county court except for the jurisdiction each county court retains to receive and enter guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases. SECTION 2. Amends Section 26.112, Government Code, to provide that the county court of Baylor County has the general criminal jurisdiction of a county court. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.