SRC-JBJ S.J.R. 15 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.J.R. 15 77R3417 JSA-DBy: Duncan Jurisprudence 2/1/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Since 1985, the legislature has taken significant steps to ensure that the workloads of various dockets are balanced by requiring the creation of new courts to be justified with a "needs" showing supported by docket data, and, through the appropriations process, requiring the existing courts to implement performance measures to justify their budgetary requests. With advances in technology in the last decade, such information has become more accessible and accurate significantly diminishing the need for the Judicial Redistricting Board. As proposed, S.J.R. 15 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: Section 7a (Judicial District Board; Reapportionment of Judicial Districts), Article V, Texas Constitution. SECTION 2. 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 permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to repeal the constitutional requirement for decennial reapportionment of the state's judicial districts and to abolish the Judicial Districts Board."