SRC-JEC H.J.R. 8 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.J.R. 8
77R759 RJA-DBy: Puente (Madla)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/2/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Bexar County Courts at Law Nos. 10, 11, and 12 were created by the 76th
Legislature. The election cycle for the county is such that judges elected
in November 2000 will have to run for reelection before the end of a full
term.  H.J.R. 8 changes the election cycle of the Bexar county courts so
that those judges have a full term ending on January 1, 2005, rather than
having to seek reelection in November 2002.  

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 Article XVI, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 65B,
as follows: 

Sec. 65B.  Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of this
constitution, the election and term of office of a judge of County Court at
Law No. 10, 11, or 12, of Bexar County, Texas, are governed by the law
relating to county attorneys. 

SECTION 2.  Adds the following temporary provision to the Texas
Constitution: 

TEMPORARY PROVISION.  (a) Provides that this temporary provision applies to
the constitutional amendment proposed by the 77th Legislature, Regular
Session, 2001, requiring a judge of County Court at Law No. 10, 11, or 12
of Bexar County, Texas, to be elected and serve a term in the manner
provided by general law for county attorneys. 

(b) Provides that the term of office of a judge of County Court at Law No.
10, 11, or 12 of Bexar County, Texas, elected at the general election for
state and county officers in 2000 ends January 1, 2005. 

(c) Provides that this temporary provision takes effect on the adoption of
the amendment by the voters and expires January 2, 2005. 

SECTION 3.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted
to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.  Requires the
ballot to be printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition:
"The constitutional amendment requiring a judge of County Court at Law No.
10, 11, or 12 of Bexar County, Texas, to be elected and serve a term in the
manner provided by general law for county attorneys."