Amend CSSB 1717 (house committee printing) as follows:

(1)  Strike SECTION 4.01 of the bill (page 46, line 22, through page 47, line 21) and substitute the following:

SECTION 4.01.  (a)  Section 27.005(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a)  For purposes of removal under Chapter 87, Local Government Code, "incompetency" in the case of a justice of the peace includes the failure of the justice to successfully complete:

(1)  within one year after the date the justice is first elected, an 80-hour course in the performance of the justice's duties; and

(2)  each following year, a 20-hour course in the performance of the justice's duties, including not less than 10 hours of instruction regarding substantive, procedural, and evidentiary law in civil matters.

(b)  Section 27.005(a), Government Code, as amended by this section, applies to a justice of the peace serving on or after the effective date of this article, regardless of the date the justice was elected or appointed.

(2)  Strike Section 6.02 of the bill (page 102, line 8, through page 104, line 5) and substitute the following:

SECTION 6.02.  Section 74.050, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 74.050.  SUPPORT STAFF [ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT]. (a) The presiding judge may employ, directly or through a contract with another governmental entity, a full-time or part-time administrative assistant.

(b)  An administrative assistant [must have the qualifications established by rule of the supreme court.

[(c)     An administrative assistant] shall aid the presiding judge in carrying out the judge's duties under this chapter. The administrative assistant shall:

(1)  perform the duties that are required by the presiding judge and by the rules of administration;

(2)  conduct correspondence for the presiding judge;

(3)  under the direction of the presiding judge, make an annual report of the activities of the administrative region and special reports as provided by the rules of administration to the supreme court, which shall be made in the manner directed by the supreme court; and

(4)  attend to other matters that are prescribed by the council of judges.

(c) [(d)]  An administrative assistant, with the approval of the presiding judge, may purchase the necessary office equipment, stamps, stationery, and supplies and employ additional personnel as authorized by the presiding judge.

(d) [(e)]  An administrative assistant is entitled to receive the compensation from the state provided by the General Appropriations Act, from county funds, or from any public or private grant.

(3)  In SECTION 7.01 of the bill, in added Section 72.029, Government Code (page 110, following line 27), add a new Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(4)  In SECTION 7.02 of the bill, in added Section 22.017, Government Code (page 111, between lines 21 and 22), add a new Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(5)  In SECTION 9.02 of the bill (page 114, between lines 23 and 24) add a new Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c)  The office of court administration may accept gifts, grants, and donations to conduct the study under this section. The office of court administration may not use state funds to conduct the study and, notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, is required to conduct the study only to the extent gifts, grants, and donations are available for that purpose.