Amend CSSB 1 (house committee report) by adding the following appropriately numbered ARTICLE to the bill and renumbering subsequent ARTICLES and SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:

ARTICLE ____. VIDEO COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IN

DISTRICT COURT PROCEEDINGS

SECTION ____.01. Subchapter A, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.035 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.035. CONDUCTING HEARINGS BY VIDEO. (a) In this section, "video communications technology" means technology that provides for communication between individuals in different locations, connected by electronic means, through both audio and video.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), a district judge may conduct court proceedings, including hearings, by video communications technology.

(c) A district judge may not conduct a trial by video communications technology.