BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1905
79R3448 YDB-D By: Puente (Madla)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently in Bexar County, a county court at law has concurrent jurisdiction with district courts in civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $100,000, excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the petition's face.
The maximum amount in controversy is relatively low for a large county such as Bexar County. For example, Travis County's maximum amount in controversy is $250,000. Bexar County would like to increase its maximum amount to $250,000 to distribute the case load more evenly among the county court at law judges and district court judges. The distribution of cases would be an efficient use of the judiciary's time allowing more judges to hear cases.
The increase also reflects the cost of living increases that have occurred.
H.B. 1905 raises the jurisdictional limit for Bexar County courts at law from $100,000 to $250,000.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.0172, Government Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a) Provides that, in addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.003 and other law, a county court at law in Bexar County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000, excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition.
(a-1) Redesignated from existing Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.