BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1809
81R2194 YDB-D By: Zaffirini et al.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In 2005, the Texas Legislature directed the Office of Court Administration to undertake a weighted caseload study of Texas district courts. The final report found that Bexar County had a judicial officer shortage of 6.7 full-time equivalent employees.
The report, containing data from the Bexar County probation office, Bexar County District Attorney's Office, and the Office of Court Administration, found that between 2000 and 2007, the number of referrals to the juvenile probation department increased by 41.1 percent; delinquent conduct referrals increased by 33.3 percent; the total number of petitions and motions to modify filed by the district attorney's office increased by 56 percent; and felony filings increased by 95 percent, while misdemeanor filings increased by 42 percent.
As proposed, S.B. 1809 creates seven more district courts in Bexar County. Three of the new courts will be created on September 1, 2009, and four will be created on September 1, 2011.
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 Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Section 24.576 and Sections 24.580-24.585, as follows:
Sec. 24.576. 432ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). (a) Provides that the 432nd Judicial District is composed of Bexar County.
(b) Requires the 432nd District Court to give preference to civil matters.
Sec. 24.580. 436th JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). (a) Provides that the 436th Judicial District is composed of Bexar County.
(b) Requires the 436th District Court to give preference to criminal matters.
Sec. 24.581. 437TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). (a) Provides that the 437th Judicial District is composed of Bexar County.
(b) Requires the 437th District Court to give preference to juvenile matters.
Sec. 24.582. 438TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). Provides that the 438th Judicial District is composed of Bexar County.
Sec. 24.583. 439TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). Provides that the 439th Judicial District is composed of Bexar County.
Sec. 24.584. 440TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). Provides that the 440th Judicial District is composed of Bexar County.
Sec. 24.585. 441ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BEXAR COUNTY). Provides that the 441st Judicial District is composed of Bexar County.
SECTION 2. (a) Provides that the 432nd, 436th, and 437th Judicial Districts are created on the effective date of this Act.
(b) Provides that the 438th, 439th, 440th, and 441st Judicial Districts are created on September 1, 2011.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.