By Wolens                                               H.B. No. 62
         77R660 JMC-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of a judge of a district or county court
 1-3     to try a civil case at an institution of higher education.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 24.012, Government Code, is amended by
 1-6     adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
 1-7           (e)  A district judge may try a civil case at an institution
 1-8     of higher education in the county in which the case is filed.  For
 1-9     purposes of this subsection, "institution of higher education" has
1-10     the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
1-11           SECTION 2. Section 26.002, Government Code, is amended by
1-12     amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
1-13     follows:
1-14           (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), all [All] terms of
1-15     court must be held at the county seat.
1-16           (d)  A county judge may try a civil case at an institution of
1-17     higher education in the county. For purposes of this subsection,
1-18     "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by
1-19     Section 61.003, Education Code.
1-20           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
1-21     applies only to a civil case filed in a district or county court on
1-22     or after that date.