By Bailey                                             H.B. No. 3003
         77R9043 DAK-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the use by justice courts of persons to serve citation
 1-3     and other notice.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 27, Government Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 27.0571 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 27.0571.  SERVICE OF CITATION. Notwithstanding Rule 103,
 1-8     Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, a justice court:
 1-9                 (1)  may not exclusively use a sheriff or constable to
1-10     serve citation and other notice; and
1-11                 (2)  shall, to the extent practicable and available,
1-12     utilize in a fair and equitable manner the services of a private
1-13     person to serve citation and other notice.
1-14           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-15     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-16     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-17     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-18     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.