BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2256
79R6714 YDB-F By: Gallego (Madla)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the 112th District Court and the 83rd District Court have concurrent jurisdictions. The 112th district impanels four grand juries each year each year in Pecos County and the 83rd district impanels two grand juries per year. Therefore, a total of six panels are being called each year for grand jury service in Pecos County. This is in addition to any panels called for petit jury service. The response rate to jury notices in Pecos County is less than 50 percent and the brevity of the 112th's grand jury terms is unnecessary.
H.B. 2256 reduces the number of grand jury panels for the 112th District Court from four to two six-month terms. These terms do not occur at the same time as the 83rd District Court. The terms will begin on the first Mondays in May and November.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 24.214(b), Government Code, to provide that the terms of the 112th District Court begin in Pecos County in the first Mondays in May and November, rather than the first Mondays in January, May, and November and the second Monday in July.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2005.