BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4741

By: Gutierrez

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Bexar County has experienced an increasing volume of litigants seeking jury trials and anticipates that the volume of litigants will continue to grow.  Bexar County is in need of new courts to ensure the administration of justice continues to be prompt and efficient. 

H.B. 4741 creates three additional statutory county courts at law in Bexar County and requires the County Court at Law No. 13 to give preference to cases of domestic violence.

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

H.B. 4741 amends the Government Code to create three additional statutory county courts at law in Bexar County, to be designated as the County Court at Law No. 13 of Bexar County, Texas, the County Court at Law No. 14 of Bexar County, Texas, and the County Court at Law No. 15 of Bexar County, Texas.  The bill requires the County Court at Law No. 13 of Bexar County, Texas to give preference to cases prosecuted under statutory provisions relating to domestic assault and family violence.  The bill sets forth provisions regarding the terms of the additional courts, the appointment or election of a special judge, the required attendance of the criminal district attorney, the appointment of a court coordinator or administrative assistant for the court, and the official court reporter's fee.  The bill exempts the additional courts, in addition to other courts, from provisions requiring a statutory county court judge to execute a bond as prescribed by law for county judges, and from provisions authorizing a statutory county court judge to be removed from office in the same manner and for the same reasons as a county judge. The bill makes conforming changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.