S.B. 354 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 354
By: Harris
Judicial Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, only three of nine criminal district courts in Tarrant County
have concurrent jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases.  S.B. 354 allows
certain district courts to have concurrent original jurisdiction with the
county criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases. 

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

S.B. 354 amends the Government Code to provide that the 213th, 297th,
371st, 372nd, and 396th District Courts have concurrent original
jurisdiction with the county criminal courts in Tarrant County over
misdemeanor cases, in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law. 

The bill also provides that in addition to the jurisdiction provided by
other law, the Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 4 has concurrent
original jurisdiction with the county criminal courts in Tarrant County
over misdemeanor cases. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003.