HBA-SEP H.B. 534 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 534
By: Thompson
Judicial Affairs
6/14/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under certain circumstances, the presiding judge of a statutory probate
court in Texas can assign a current, former, or retired statutory probate
judge to hear matters in any statutory court exercising probate
jurisdiction.  Such a judge retains the specific jurisdictional powers
assigned the judge and approximates the jurisdictional powers of a sitting
probate judge.  Prior to the 77th Legislature, the assigned judge could not
transfer particular causes of action related to the proceedings in the
court to which the judge was assigned.  Without the power to transfer
related actions, an assigned judge is unable to exercise jurisdiction that
may promote judicial efficiency and economy.  House Bill 534 includes
transfer of estate and guardianship proceedings within the jurisdiction,
powers, and duties assigned to statutory probate court judges by general
law.   

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 534 amends the Government Code to include transfer of estate and
guardianship proceedings within the jurisdiction, powers, and duties
assigned to statutory probate court judges by general law.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.