H.B. 1677 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1677
By: Hegar
Judicial Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Given the challenging fiscal environment at both the state and local
level, the district attorney for the 329th judicial district and the
county attorney for Wharton County have sought ways to work together to
utilize available attorney resources more effectively.  In order to do
this, certain statutory jurisdictional changes are required.  H.B. 1677
provides for these necessary changes. 

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. 1677 amends the Government Code to provide that at the request of the
county attorney of Wharton County, the district attorney may assist the
county attorney in the prosecution of juvenile cases under the Family
Code.   

The bill also provides that the county attorney for Wharton County
represents the state in proceedings under Title 3 of the Family Code, and
that the county attorney represents the Wharton County Drainage District. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.