SRC-JLB S.B. 520 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 520
78R4321 SLO-DBy: Duncan
Jurisprudence
2/27/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Upton County is in two judicial districts.  The county
commissioners believe that its population and number of cases do not
warrant the district's inclusion in two judicial districts. 
As proposed, S.B. 520 removes Upton County from the 83rd Judicial District.

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 24.185, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 24.185.  New heading:  83RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (PECOS, TERRELL, AND
VAL VERDE COUNTIES).  (a) Provides that the 83rd Judicial District is
composed of Pecos, Terrell, and Val Verde counties. 

(b) Provides that the 83rd and 112th district courts have concurrent
jurisdiction in Pecos County, rather than in Pecos and Upton counties. 

(c) No change to this subsection.

(d) Provides that the terms of the 83rd District Court begin on the second
Monday in January and July.  Makes conforming changes. 

(e) Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 43.141(a), Government Code, to remove Upton
County from the list of counties whose voters elect a district attorney
for the 83rd Judicial District. 

SECTION 3.  (a) Requires the local administrative district judge to
transfer pending cases from Upton County on September 1, 2003, from the
83rd District Court to the 112th District Court. 

 (b) Provides for the administration of cases transferred in accordance
with Subsection (a). 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 43.141(a), Government Code, to make application
of this Act prospective.  Requires the district attorney of the 83rd
Judicial District elected before and serving on that date to serve the
remainder of the elected term, unless otherwise removed by law. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.