BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 835
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
According to the United States census, Travis County's population increased by 90 percent from 1980 to 2000 (from 419,573 to 812,280). While Travis County criminal district courts disposed of 11,340 cases in fiscal year (FY) 2004, 13,218 new cases were added, creating an additional workload sufficient to warrant the creation of a new court. Additionally, from FY 2001 to FY 2004, filings of complex cases in Travis County, such as capital murder and child sexual assault cases, grew by 49 percent, and motions to revoke probations rose 31 percent. Due to this increased case load, a felony case set for jury trial can take as long as three years to be heard.
As proposed, S.B. 835 creates the 427th Judicial District and provides that the new court will give preference to criminal matters, thereby adding a seventh criminal district court to Travis County.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Section 24.571, as follows:
Sec. 24.571. 427TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS COUNTY). (a) Provides that the 427th Judicial District is composed of Travis County.
(b) Requires the 427th Judicial District to give preference to criminal matters.
SECTION 2. Creates the 427th Judicial District on January 1, 2007.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.