H.B. 3572 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 3572
By: Chisum
Judicial Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the voters of Hale and Swisher Counties elect a
district attorney for the 64th Judicial District who represents the state
in that district court in these counties.   

Many in Swisher County want the county attorney for Swisher County to
represent the state in matters pending before the district court in
Swisher County.  H.B. 3572 provides for this.  

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

SECTION 1. Section 43.134(a) of the Government Code is amended by removing
references to Swisher County, leaving the section to apply only to Hale
County. 

SECTION 2. Section 45.319 is added to provide that (a) the county attorney
in Swisher County shall represent the state in all matters pending before
the district court in Swisher County; and (b) the county attorney in
Swisher County is entitled to be compensated by the state in the manner
provided by general law relating to the salary paid to district attorneys
by the state.  Swisher County shall pay $28,000 of the county attorney's
salary, and the state shall pay the remainder of the salary.   

SECTION 3. This act takes effect September 1, 2003. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.