SRC-JJJ S.B. 265 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 265
76R1597 MLS-DBy: Duncan
Jurisprudence
2/8/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not allow trial judges to sit on the appellate
bench for temporary assignments.  This bill would allow trial judges to
take temporary assignments on an appellate bench. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 265 establishes the temporary assignment of a district
court judge to a court of appeals. 

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 22C, Government Code, by adding Section 22.229,
as follows: 

Sec. 22.229.  TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT OF DISTRICT COURT JUDGE TO COURT OF
APPEALS.  Authorizes the chief justice of a court of appeals  to assign a
district court judge to sit on a court of appeals in which the judge's
district is located.  Sets forth requirements for a judge to be eligible
for assignment under Subsection (a).  Prohibits a district court judge from
being assigned to a court of appeals for more than 20 cases in a year.
Prohibits a district court judge assigned to a court of appeals under
Subsection (a) from receiving additional compensation for the judge's
service on the court of appeals, but is entitled to reimbursement of travel
expenses incurred while serving on the court of appeals. Establishes that a
district court judge assigned to a court of appeals has all the powers of a
justice of a court of appeals during the assignment. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.