H.B. 3557 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 3557 By: Hamilton Judicial Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, there is only one county court at law in Orange County. This court is currently backlogged with over 8,700 cases. H.B. 3557 creates a second county court at law in Orange County. It also specifies that unless otherwise required by law, a jury in a county court at law in Orange County is composed of six members. 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. 3557 amends the Government Code to create a second county court at law for Orange County. The bill also specifies that except as otherwise required by law, a jury in a county court at law in Orange County is composed of six members. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.