SRC-JEC S.B. 954 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 954
77R5408 JMC-FBy: Barrientos
Intergovernmental Relations
4/5/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a statutory
county court has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in civil
cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed
$100,000.  As proposed, S.B. 954 provides an alternative to Travis County's
crowded district courts by raising the concurrent jurisdictional cap for
statutory county courts up to $250,000.  It also provides for a 12-member
jury upon written request by either party in cases in which the matter in
controversy is more than $100,000. 

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 25.2292, Government Code, by adding Subsections
(a) and (d), as follows: 

(a)  Provides that, in addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Travis County has
concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in civil cases regardless
of the amount in controversy, except that, unless otherwise provided by
law, a county court at law does not have concurrent jurisdiction with the
district court in:  family law cases and proceedings; or any matter in
which exclusive jurisdiction or venue is in the district court. 

(b)  Provides that the jury in civil cases consists of six members, unless
a 12-member jury is required under the constitution or a party to the case
requests a 12-member jury in writing before a certain deadline. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of Section 25.2292(d), as added by this Act,
prospective. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.