SRC-JLB C.S.S.B. 1206 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1206 78R12202 YDB-DBy: Lindsay Jurisprudence 4/15/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Harris County civil courts at law have exclusive jurisdiction in eminent domain proceedings. Some believe that Harris County district court judges can effectively handle eminent domain proceedings, in addition to their current duties. C.S.S.B. 1206 provides for concurrent jurisdiction between the district courts and county civil courts at law in Harris County in eminent domain proceedings. 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 25.1032, Government Code, by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (m), as follows: (c) Provides that a county civil court at law in Harris County has concurrent, rather than exclusive, jurisdiction with the district court of eminent domain proceedings, both statutory and inverse, regardless of the amount in controversy. Authorizes a party initiating a condemnation proceeding in Harris County, notwithstanding Section 21.013, Property Code, to file a petition with any clerk authorized to accept the petition for the district courts. Requires a condemnation proceeding to be assigned by rotation to a court with jurisdiction to hear the proceeding. (m) Authorizes a party, notwithstanding Section 62.301, for a condemnation proceeding before a county civil court at law, to have the proceeding tried before a jury of 12 persons. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.