H.B. 338 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 338
By: Cook, Byron
Judicial Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 2001, the Legislature passed S.B. 1808 which established a County Court
at Law in Navarro County.  Included in S.B. 1808 was a provision for a
non-binding referendum allowing the citizens of Navarro County to express
their opinion regarding the creation of the court.  The citizens of that
county were assured that if the court was not approved in the referendum,
legislation would be introduced in the 78th Legislature to abolish the
court.   

In November 2001, the voters of Navarro County rejected the creation of
this court by a roughly 70% margin.  Thus, this court only exists on
paper.  It was never operational, never had a judge nor did it ever have
any pending cases.  H.B. 338 will abolish the County Court at Law for
Navarro County in accordance with the wishes of the voters of the county.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

H.B. 338 repeals Sections 25.1771 and 25.1772 of the Government Code, thus
abolishing the County Court at Law in Navarro County.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect on September 1, 2003.