SRC-AXB S.B. 474 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 474
76R4832  JMC-DBy: Shapleigh
Jurisprudence
3/3/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Since 1990, El Paso's population has increased 16 percent, and
understandably, its district court capacity has not kept pace with this
growth.  Last year, while the average Texas district judge's caseload was
1,758 cases, each El Paso judge handled an average of 2,464 cases.  El Paso
district judges handle well above the state average.  This bill would
create the 390th, 418th, and 419th Judicial Districts, all composed of El
Paso County. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 474 creates three judicial districts in El Paso County.

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 24.535,
24.563, and 24.564, as follows: 

Sec.  24.535.  390TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EL PASO COUNTY).  Provides that the
390th Judicial District is composed of El Paso County. 

Sec.  24.563.  418TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EL PASO COUNTY).  Provides that the
418th Judicial District is composed of El Paso County, and requires that
this district's court give preference to family law matters. 

Sec.  24.564.  419TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (EL PASO COUNTY).  Provides that the
419th Judicial District is composed of El Paso County, and requires that
this district's court give preference to felony criminal law matters. 

SECTION 2.Creates the 390th, 418th, and 419th judicial districts.
  Effective date:  September 1, 1999

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.