H.B. 501 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 501 By: Telford Judicial Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In many counties, the Constitutional County Court has general criminal jurisdiction, which helps alleviate the burden on state district courts. A number of years ago, general criminal jurisdiction was removed from the County Court of Marion County. This has led to a backlog in the state district courts with jurisdiction in Marion County (District Courts 115 and 276). H.B. 501 returns general criminal jurisdiction to the County Court of Marion 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. 501 amends Section 26.258 of the Government Code to add general criminal jurisdiction to the jurisdiction of the County Court of Marion County. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.