BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 3161

83R3184 RWG-D

By: Simpson; Hughes (Eltife)

 

Criminal Justice

 

5/13/2013

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, the Human Resources Code states that the Upshur County Juvenile Board is composed of the county judge, the district judge, and the judges of any statutory court.  H.B. 3161 amends the code to reflect that the board is only composed of the county judge and the district judge, because those are the only two judges in the County.  The bill also designates the county judge of Upshur County as the chairman of the board and its chief administrative officer, rather than requiring the board to elect one of its members as chairman at its first regular meeting of each calendar year. 

 

These changes are requested by Upshur County officials in order for the Upshur County Juvenile Board to more efficiently serve the county.

 

H.B. 3161 also repeals duplicative provisions already contained in the code and other provisions to allow for more flexibility between the Upshur County Commissioners Court and the board.

 

H.B. 3161 amends current law relating to the Upshur County Juvenile Board.

 

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 Sections 152.2361(a) and (b), Human Resources Code, as follows:

 

(a) Provides that the Upshur County Juvenile Board (board) is composed of the county judge and the district judge in Upshur County.  Deletes existing text providing that the board is composed of the county judge, the district judges in Upshur County, and the judges of any statutory court in the county designated as a juvenile court.

 

(b) Provides that the county judge of Upshur County is the chairman of the board and its chief administrative officer.  Deletes existing text requiring the board to elect one of its members as chairman at its first regular meeting of each calendar year.

 

SECTION 2. Repealers: Sections 152.2361(c) (relating to requiring the board to hold regular meetings each year on dates set by the board and special meetings at the call of the chariman), (e) (relating to requiring the commissioners court to reimburse a board member for the member’s actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing his duties), (f) (relating to requiring the board to establish policies and procedures to ensure the provision of adequate juvenile probation services and the efficient operation of the juvenile probation department), (g) (relating to requiring the board to make the financial and statistical records and reports the board is required to make to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission available to the commissioners court), (h) (relating to requiring the board to establish a juvenile probation department and employ personnel necessary to provide probation service to youth in accordance with the Family Code), (i) (relating to requiring the board to provide each juvenile probation officer or other board employee with transportation or an automobile allowance for use of a personal automobile and other travel expenses approved by the board with approval of the commissioners court), (j) (relating to requiring the board to set the salaries of the juvenile probation officers and other employees with approval of the commissioners court), (k) (relating to requiring the commissioners court to set the annual rate of increase in the salaries of the board’s officers and employees at the rate of increase given to other Upshur County employees or to state employees), and (m) (relating to providing that Sections 152.0002, 152.0004, 152.0005, 152.0007, 152.0008, and 152.0009 do not apply to the board of Upshur County), Human Resources Code.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.