SRC-AXB S.J.R. 20 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 20
76R1601  JSA-DBy: Duncan
Jurisprudence
2/25/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Since 1876, Texas' district courts have not been comprehensively
redistricted, and the legislature has added 361 courts in a piecemeal
fashion since the original redistricting 123 years ago.  In 1985, Texans
amended their constitution to create a mechanism to provide for periodic
judicial redistricting, making the Judicial Districts Board responsible for
reapportionment of judicial districts, if the legislature fails to do so.
However, the Judicial Districts Board's work has not been addressed by the
legislature.  S.J.R. 20 gives Texas voters the choice to abolish the
Judicial Districts Board, and creates the Legislative Redistricting Board. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.J.R. 20 requires the submission to the voters of a
constitutional amendment to abolish the Judicial Districts Board, and to
grant the Legislative Redistricting Board the authority to make statewide
reapportionments of judicial districts. 

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 7a, Article V, Texas Constitution, as follows:

Sec.  7a.  (a)  Requires the Legislative Redistricting Board to make a
statewide reapportionment of the judicial districts as provided by this
section. Deletes text describing the duty of the Judicial Districts Board
(JDB). 

(b)  Deletes existing Subsection (b).

(c)  Redesignates Subsection (c) as Subsection (b).  Deletes text
describing the authority and prohibitions of the JDB. 

(d)  Clarifies the dates by which the legislature must enact a statewide
reapportionment of judicial districts.  Deletes text specifying
consequences of the JDB's failure to make a statewide reapportionment by a
certain date.  Deletes existing Subsection (f).  Makes a conforming change. 

(e)  Redesignated from existing Subsection (g).  Deletes existing
Subsection (h).  Makes conforming changes. 

(f)  Redesignated from existing Subsection (i).  Makes conforming and
nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 2.  Requires this constitutional amendment to be submitted to the
voters at an election to be held on November 2, 1999.  Sets forth the
required language for the ballot.