SRC-TJG, VRA S.B. 375 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 375 By: Williams Jurisprudence 2/19/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Ninth Court of Appeals, which is composed of 11 counties, is only allowed to meet at Beaumont, the county seat of Jefferson County. One of the three justices reside in Montgomery County and over half the caseload occurs on the western side of the district. Of the 14 Court of Appeals, only three (7th, 9th, and 11th) do not allow their justices to meet in more than one location. As proposed, S.B. 375 would allow the court to meet in Beaumont or in the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines necessary. 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 22.210, Government Code, by adding Subsection (c) to authorize the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Court of Appeals District (court) to transact its business in the City of Beaumont or the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines is necessary or convenient. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.