BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 355

80R2146 KLA-D                                                                                                       By: Wentworth

Jurisprudence

2/26/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the 147th District Court in Travis County is the only Travis County district court required to have a grand jury in session at all times while all other districts have two grand jury terms.  Additionally, the terms of court of the various Travis County district courts are not the same.   

As proposed, S.B. 355 allows the judge of the 147th District Court to impanel a grand jury when the judge considers it necessary, and synchronizes the terms of court for Travis County criminal district courts. 

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 24.155(d), Government Code, to delete existing text providing an exception applicable to the 147th District Court (Travis County) regarding the authority for district court judges to impanel grand juries when the judges consider it necessary. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 24.248(b), Government Code, by specifying that the terms of the 147th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January and July, rather than January, April, July, and October.

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 24.264(b), Government Code, by specifying that the terms of the 167th District Court  (Travis County) begin on the first Mondays in January and July, rather than March and September.

SECTION 4.  Repealer: Section 24.248(c) (regarding requirement of district court judges of the 147th District to impanel a grand jury each court term), Government Code. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.