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.