BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 4094

                                                                                                                                      By: Swinford

                                                                                                                                              Judiciary

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Citizens may be confused about the nature of court costs, and by having uniform costs in both district and county courts at law, any confusion should be eliminated.  Furthermore, after adoption of this act there should be a slight increase in the money collected in statutory county courts which could be used to aid in the provision of legal services for indigents. The purpose of this bill is to establish uniform fees in Midland County in cases where there is overlapping civil jurisdiction in statutory county courts and district courts.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 25.1672, Government Code, by adding subsection (e) to provide that a county court at law in Midland County shall assess the same fees as a district court in a case where it has concurrent civil jurisdiction with the  district court.

 

SECTION 2.  Makes the act prospective.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007.