SRC-JEC S.B. 394 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 394 77R3412 JSA-DBy: Duncan Jurisprudence 2/1/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE The state's district courts have not been comprehensively redistricted since 1876. A 1985 constitutional amendment provided for periodic redistricting through the Judicial Redistricting Board, but a judicial redistricting plan was never adopted by the legislature. The legislature has adequately maintained existing courts and added new ones as needed, based on data that, with the advent of new technology, continues to be easier to collect. Hence, the need for a board to complete a statewide court-by-court analysis has diminished. As proposed, S.B. 394 abolishes the Judicial Redistricting Board. 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. Repealer: Chapter 24F (Reapportionment of Judicial Districts), Government Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: January 1, 2002. Makes application of this Act contingent upon approval by the voters of the constitutional amendment proposed by the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, to repeal the constitutional requirement for decennial reapportionment of the judicial districts and to abolish the Judicial Districts Board.