SRC-BWC H.B. 485 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 485
77R1437 AEI-DBy: Craddick (Duncan)
Jurisprudence
5/9/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Reagan County is currently divided between the 83rd and 112th judicial
districts, which requires the state to provide a travel allowance to the
district attorney and the district judge of the 83rd Judicial District.
H.B. 485 removes Reagan County from the 83rd Judicial District and the
jurisdiction of the 83rd District Court.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 24.185, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 24.185.  New heading:  83RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (PECOS, TERRELL, UPTON,
AND VAL VERDE COUNTIES).  Deletes Reagan County from the 83rd Judicial
District. Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 43.141(a), Government Code, to delete Reagan
County from this section. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.

SECTION 4.  (a)  Requires the local administrative district judge to
transfer all cases from Reagan County that are pending in the 83rd District
Court on the effective date of this Act to the 112th District Court.   

(b)  Provides that when a case is transferred as provided by Subsection (a)
of this section, all processes, writs, bonds, recognizance, or other
obligations issued from the 83rd District Court are returnable to the 112th
District Court as if originally issued by that court.  Provides that the
obligees on all bonds and recognizances taken in and for the 83rd District
Court and all witnesses summoned to appear in the 83rd District Court are
required to appear before the 112th District Court as if originally
required to appear before that court. 

SECTION 5.  Provides that Section 43.141(a), Government Code, as amended by
this Act, does not affect the election of a district attorney for the 83rd
Judicial District held before the effective date of this Act.  Requires the
district attorney of the 83rd Judicial District elected before and serving
on the effective date of this Act to serve the remainder of the elected
term, unless otherwise removed by law.