78R3130 QS-D

By:  Lewis                                                        H.B. No. 1717



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the compensation of district judges who preside over 
certain proceedings.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 24, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 24.023 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.023.  ADDITIONAL DUTIES OF DISTRICT JUDGE.  In 
addition to a district judge's official duties, a district judge 
may preside over a proceeding in a drug court program established 
under Chapter 469, Health and Safety Code.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 32.301 to read as follows:
	Sec. 32.301.  SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION:  DRUG COURT 
PROGRAM.  (a)  Notwithstanding Section 659.012 or any other law, a 
district judge who presides over a proceeding in a drug court 
program as authorized by Section 24.023 may receive reasonable 
supplemental compensation if program funding is available and 
designated for that purpose.
	(b)  Notwithstanding any other law, supplemental 
compensation paid to a district judge under this section is not 
included as part of the district judge's total annual salary for 
purposes of computing another salary that is based on the salary of 
the district judge.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.