BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1248

By: Bell

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, Waller County falls within the jurisdiction of both the 155th and 506th Judicial Districts.  Interested parties contend that over the past several years, the use of limited facilities has caused a backlog of cases in the 155th District Court. H.B. 1248 seeks to alleviate that backlog by removing Waller County from the 155th Judicial District. 

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. 1248 amends the Government Code to change the composition of the 155th Judicial District by removing Waller County from the district.  The bill removes provisions setting the dates on which the terms of the 155th District Court begin in each county of the judicial district. The bill requires the local administrative district judge to transfer to the 506th District Court all cases from Waller County that are pending in the 155th District Court on the bill's effective date and sets out procedural provisions relating to the transfer of such cases.

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2014.