SRC-VRA H.B. 3557 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3557 78R5881 KLA-DBy: Hamilton (Williams) Jurisprudence 5/7/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, there is only one county court at law in Orange County. H.B. 3557 creates a second county court at law in Orange County. 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 25.1831, Government Code, as follows: (a) Provides that Orange County has two statutory county courts, including the County Court at Law No. 2 of Orange County. (b) Provides that a county court at law in Orange County sits at the county seat. SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.1832(i), Government Code, to provide that except as otherwise required by law, a jury in a county court at law is composed of six members. Deletes text regarding the requirement that juries in all civil and criminal matters to be composed of 12 members. SECTION 3. Makes application of the change in law by Section 2 of this Act, prospective. SECTION 4. Provides that the County Court at Law No. 2 of Orange County is created and this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.