BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                    C.S.H.B. 1622

                                                                                                                                              By: Pitts

                                                                                                                                              Judiciary

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Previous law allowed only for a district court in Hill County.  The population of Hill County has grown, and the district court is backlogged.  The purpose of a new county court is to provide speedier justice and to relieve the backlog.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

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

 

ANALYSIS

 

The bill amends the Government Code to create a county court at law in Hill county having concurrent and coextensive jurisdiction with the district court. The court is to be created December 31, 2007 or at an earlier time determined by the commissioners court.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2005

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The substitute adds felony cases to the concurrent jurisdiction of the county court in Section 25.1112. The substitute also adds the words "and the statutory county courts" beginning on line 13 of page 3 of the substitute, giving the county court jurisdiction in all cases where the county court and the statutory county courts would have original or appellate jurisdiction.