SRC-AMY C.S.H.B. 858 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 858
78R12506 SLO-DBy: Goodman (Harris)
Jurisprudence
4/23/2003
Committee Report (Substituted)

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, judges of county courts at law and county criminal
courts in Tarrant County are paid a total annual salary that is fixed at
$1,000 less than the total annual salary of any district judge in the
county.  Some large counties in Texas can pay their county court at law
and county criminal court judges an amount "not less than $1,000 less"
than a district judge.  C.S.H.B. 858 requires Tarrant County judges to be
paid in a similar manner to other large counties. 

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.  Amends  Section 25.2222(f), Government Code to require that
county court at law judges and county criminal court judges in Tarrant
County be paid an annual salary in an amount that is not less than $1,000
less than the total annual salary, including supplements and salary
increases, paid any district judge in the county.   

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 25.2223(f), Government Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 3.  Effective September 1, 2003, amends Section 32.220(a),
Government Code, to authorize the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County to
budget and pay, rather than requiring the commissioners court to pay, the
judges of the district courts and criminal district courts having
jurisdiction only in that county an annual salary in an amount set by the
commissioners court, rather than $8,000, for services rendered and for
administrative duties, notwithstanding Section 659.012. 

SECTION 4.  Effective September 1, 2007, reenacts Section 32.220(a),
Government Code. 

SECTION 5.  Makes application of Sections 1 and 2 of this Act prospective
to October 1, 2003. 

SECTION 6.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.