BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 2531
79R12967 KLA-D By: Chavez (Shapleigh)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The El Paso Council of Judges is composed of the county court at law and district court judges of El Paso County and oversees the administrative operations of the judicial functions in El Paso County. It also provides temporary staff assistance for the bailiffs, court coordinators, and interpreters.
There are 15 district court judges and nine county court judges in El Paso County. Statutorily, district court judges and county court judges have the same jurisprudence powers and qualifications.
H.B. 2531 allows El Paso county court at law judges to have the opportunity to serve as administrative judges for the El Paso Council of Judges, allowing for a more diverse representation in the leadership role.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 75.014, Government Code, by adding Subsection (h), to authorize a district judge in El Paso County or a judge of a statutory county court in El Paso County to serve as the local administrative judge for the council of judges. Requires the council of judges to elect a judge as local administrative judge for a term of not more than two years. Prohibits the local administrative judge from being elected on the basis of rotation or seniority.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.