BILL ANALYSIS |
By: Keffer |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Hood County has certain regulatory authority over the unincorporated areas of the county. Violations of those regulations are considered misdemeanors punishable by a fine. The statute requires that such cases be tried in district court. However, Article V, Section 19, of the Texas Constitution gives justice courts jurisdiction over criminal matters of misdemeanor cases punishable by fine only.
C.S.H.B. 3464 provides that such cases be tried in the justice court instead of the district court.
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
C.S.H.B. 3464 amends the Local Government Code to move from a district court to a justice court a trial for the enforcement of certain development regulations in Hood County.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2009.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
C.S.H.B. 3464 is a Texas Legislative Council (TLC) draft of a non-TLC draft that was filed as H.B. 3464. No changes were made to the committee substitute following review by the TLC.