HBA-EDN H.B. 317 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 317
By: Telford
Judicial Affairs
2/8/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Sixth Court of Appeals (court) has appellate jurisdiction over 19 Texas
counties.  Under current law, the court is only authorized to transact its
business in Texarkana or in the courthouses within its 19 county
jurisdiction.  However, the court is often unable to sit in the county
courthouses due to a lack of space and constant activity at the
courthouses.  House Bill 317 authorizes the court to transact its business
in the county seat of any county within its jurisdiction, allowing the
court to use facilities other than the courthouse.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 317 amends the Government Code to modify the locations where the
court of appeals for the Sixth Court of Appeals District (court) is
authorized to transact business by removing the requirement that the court
transact its business in the courthouse when the court transacts business
in the county seat of any county in the district. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. 
2/8/2001