SRC-JBJ S.B. 1436 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1436
By: Duncan
Jurisprudence
4/9/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, a judge must hear a case and make a ruling in the jurisdiction
where the case is filed.  Often in rural areas, a judge may sit in
different counties during the week or month.  Therefore, parties desiring
to dispense with pretrial matters or have a judge sign an order must wait
until the judge returns to the county.  A change in law that authorizes the
judge to handle pretrial matters away from the original county would
expedite the trial process.  This bill authorizes a judge to hear pre-trial
matters, but is permissive and requires the consent of both parties.  S.B.
1436 authorizes a judge to hear pretrial matters in a county other than the
one in which the suit is filed. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1436 authorize a judge to hear pretrial matters in a
county other than the one in which the suit is filed. 

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 74.094, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(e), to authorize a judge, who has jurisdiction over a suit pending on one
county, to hear the suit's pretrial matters in a different county, if both
parties agree. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.