AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The 102nd District Court is comprised of Bowie and Red River counties.  Currently, the court terms of both counties begin in different months with Red River County having twice as many terms each year.  Red River County terms begin on the first Mondays in February, May, August, and November, whereas, Bowie County terms begin on the first Mondays in January and July.  Using the current three-month grand jury rotation (four grand juries per year) costs Red River County $2,400.

 

Aligning the court's schedule for both counties would save Red River County approximately $1,200.  Moreover, less turnover of grand jurors will allow for longer and more experienced jury service.

 

H.B. 1048 amends current law relating to the terms of the 102nd District Court in Red River County.

 

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 Section 24.204(b), Government Code, to provide that the terms of the 102nd District Court begin in each county on the first Mondays in January and July, rather than providing that the terms of the 102nd District Court begin in Bowie County on the first Mondays in January and July, and in Red River County on the first Mondays in February, May, August, and November.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.