BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1179

79R3523 JMM-F                                                                                                 By: Dutton (Harris)

Jurisprudence

5/9/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The use of associate judges in family law area has expanded in order to help litigants more effectively resolve legal disputes.  Moreover, due to the recent increase of orders that must be signed, there has been a long delay between the time an associate judge's ruling is reduced to a written order versus the time it is signed.

H.B. 1179 eliminates this delay in time, and allows associate judges to sign temporary orders.

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 Sections 201.007(a) and (c), Family Code, as follows:

(a)  Authorizes an associate judge, except as limited by an order of referral, to render and sign a temporary order.  Makes a conforming change.

(c)  Makes a conforming change.

SECTION 2.  Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies to a proceeding pending before a trial court on, or filed on or after, the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.