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.