BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                       C.S.S.B. 660

                                                                                                                                   By: Wentworth

                                                                                                                                              Judiciary

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, there are seven statutory county courts in Travis County.  These courts have experienced enormous growth and a large increase in caseload since the last court was added in 1999.

 

The bill creates an additional statutory county court in Travis County.

 

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

 

The bill amends the Government code to provide for a newly created county court at law (County Court at Law Number 8) in Travis County. The court will be required to give preference to criminal cases.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2008

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The substitute deletes a provision of the original bill that would have limited the civil jurisdiction of the court to an amount in controversy of $100,000 or less.