H.B. 3577 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 3577
By: Smithee
Judicial Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 3577 sets forth several provisions for the more efficient
administration of justice in Randall County.  

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. 3577 amends the Government Code to permit the county court at law in
Randall County to sit in the county seat or at another location in the
county as assigned by the local administrative statutory county court
judge.   

The bill adds felony cases to the jurisdiction of the county court at law
in Randall County, specifies the terms of this court, and provides that
the county may not reduce the compensation paid to the judge of a county
court at law during the judge's term in office.   

The bill also provides that in matters of concurrent jurisdiction, the
judge of a county court at law and the judges of the district courts in
the county may exchange benches and courtrooms and may transfer cases
between their dockets in the same manner that judges of district courts
exchange benches and transfer cases.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.