BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                              C.S.H.B. 3547

79R17968 QS-F                                                                                       By: Brown, Betty (Deuell)

Jurisprudence

5/19/2005

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

C.S.H.B. 3547 creates an additional county court at law in Kaufman County to help relieve an increase in cases, many of which are drug-related.  The county commissioners made this request due to the growth rate in the county, which they estimate to be approximately 30 percent.

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 Section 25.1311, Government Code, to add the County Court at Law No. 2 of Kaufman County to the statutory courts of Kaufman County.  Makes conforming changes.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 25.1312, Government Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to provide that the County Court at Law No. 2 of Kaufman County does not have jurisdiction of civil cases in which the amount in controversy exceeds a certain limit.  Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 152.1351(a), Human Resources Code, to make conforming changes.

SECTION 4.  Creates the County Court at Law No. 2 of Kaufman County on September 1, 2007, or on an earlier date determined by the Commissioners Court of Kaufman County by an order entered in its minutes, notwithstanding Section 25.1311, Government Code, as amended by this Act.

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.