BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1477

79R5019 QS-D                                                                                                              By: Hinojosa

Jurisprudence

3/31/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Hidalgo County has experienced great population growth and is in need of additional courts to handle the case load.  As proposed, S.B. 1477 creates two new district courts for Hidalgo County.

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 24.534, Government Code, to delete the requirement that the 389th District Court give preference to criminal matters.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 24.543, Government Code, to delete the requirement that the 398th District Court give preference to family violence and criminal matters.  Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 3.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Sections 24.574 and 24.575, as follows:

Sec. 24.574.  430TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HIDALGO COUNTY).  (a) Provides that the 430th Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo County.

(b) Requires the 430th District Court to give preference to criminal matters.

Sec. 24.575.  431ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HIDALGO COUNTY).  (a) Provides that the 431st Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo County.

(b) Requires the 431st District Court to give preference to family violence and criminal matters. 

SECTION 4.  Creates the 430th and 431st Judicial Districts on the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.