SRC-AXB S.B. 158 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 158 By: Luna Intergovernmental Relations 6/17/1999 Enrolled DIGEST Currently, there is a strain on the county courts in Bexar County because of the great population growth experienced by San Antonio. More courts are needed to handle the growing criminal and civil dockets. S.B. 158 creates and organizes certain county courts in Bexar County and requires the courts to give preference to certain cases. PURPOSE As enrolled, S.B. 158 creates County Courts at Law No. 1, 10, 11, and 12 of Bexar County, Texas, and requires that these courts give preference to certain 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 Section 25.0171(b), Government Code, to add County Court at Law No. 1 of Bexar County, Texas; County Court at Law No. 10 of Bexar County, Texas; County Court at Law No. 11 of Bexar County, Texas; and County Court at No. 12 of Bexar County, Texas, to the list of county courts in Bexar County. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.0172, Government Code, by adding Subsections (a) and (b) and amending Subsections (c), (d), (l), (n), (o), (u), and (v), to require County Court at Law No. 1 to give preference to criminal cases, County Court at Law No. 10 to give preference to civil cases, and County Courts at Law No. 11 and 12 to give preference to criminal cases. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 3. Amends Sections 25.0173(n) and (o), Government Code, to specify that Probate Court No. 1 has certain responsibilities. SECTION 4. Repealers: Section 25.0171(a), Government Code (regarding Bexar County courts). Section 25.0173(b), Government Code (regarding court jurisdictions). SECTION 5. Requires the judge of a certain court to transfer all mental illness proceedings to Probate Court No. 1 of Bexar County on the effective date of this Act. SECTION 6. Provides that certain repealers and redesignations do not affect the office of certain judges, and clarifies that the judge continues to serve for the term to which elected. SECTION 7. Effective date for this Act and for the creation of County Courts at Law Nos. 10, 11, and 12, of Bexar County, Texas: September 1, 1999. SECTION 8. Emergency clause.