BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 596

                                                                                                                                        By: Smithee

                                                                                                                                              Judiciary

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Under current law, municipal judges in the City of Amarillo are required to maintain residence in the city and are prohibited from having a private practice while in office. This limits the ability to hire part-time judges to assist with a crowded docket. This bill will lift those restrictions for judges who work less than 40 hours per week.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

The bill provides that restrictions on the residency and private practice of a municipal judge do not apply to a judge employed to work less than 40 hours per week in the City of Amarillo Municipal Court, under Section 30.00934 (a) of the Government Code.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

 Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2005.