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."