SRC-VRA S.B. 354 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 354
78R3102 KLA-DBy: Harris
Jurisprudence
2/14/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

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

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 24.392, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c) to provide that in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
213th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county
criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 24.474, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(d) to provide that in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
297th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county
criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.   

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 24.516, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c) to provide that in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
371st District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county
criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 24.517, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c) to provide that in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
372nd District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county
criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 24.541, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(c) to provide that in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the
396th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county
criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.  

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 24.913, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(e) to provide that in addition to the jurisdiction provided by Subchapter
C and 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. 

SECTION 7.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.