SRC-AXB S.B. 134 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 134
76R1012 JMC-DBy: Brown
Jurisprudence
2/10/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Three district courts consisting of two general jurisdiction courts and one
court handling family matters have served Fort Bend County since 1981.
Since then, the population has tripled, yet no new courts have been added.
The judges of Fort Bend County agree that more courts are needed to handle
the growing criminal, civil, juvenile, probate and mental health commitment
caseloads.  This bill creates the 391st and 393rd Judicial Districts in
Fort Bend County, and requires the 393rd Judicial District to give
preference to family law matters. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 134 creates the 391st and 393rd Judicial Districts in
Fort Bend County, and requires the 393rd Judicial District to give
preference to family law cases. 

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 Chapter 24C, Government Code, by adding Sections 24.536
and 24.538, as follows: 

Sec.  24.536.  391ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY).  Provides that
the 391st Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County. 

Sec. 24.538.  393RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY).  Provides that
the 393rd Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County, and shall give
preference to family law cases. 

SECTION 2.  Creates the 391st and 393rd Judicial Districts.
  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.