SRC-AXB S.B. 158 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 158
76R162 MLS-DBy: Luna
Intergovernmental Relations
2/25/1999
As Filed


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
three new county courts in Bexar County and requires the courts to give
preference to certain cases. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 158 creates County Courts at Law No. 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. 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 Subsection
(b) and amending Subsections (c), (d), (l), (n), (o), (u), and (v), to
require 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.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.