BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1080

 

By: Lucio; Zaffirini

 

Jurisprudence

 

7/22/2013

 

Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, counties with populations of less than 50,000 that do not have county courts at law, have county judges that spend two weeks of each month on judicial duties pertaining to Class A and Class B misdemeanors, probate matters, guardianship matters, and mental health cases. These judicial duties are compensated by a sum of $15,000 per year by the state.

 

S.B. 1080 requires the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System to conduct a study to determine the adequacy and appropriateness of additional compensation paid to a county judge of a constitutional county court who serves in a county with a population of 50,000 or less that does not have a county court at law. These county judges must at least have jurisdiction of Class A and B misdemeanors, probate matters, guardianship matters, and mental health cases.

 

The study will determine if the amount of compensation is in accord with the workload of these county courts and the county judges who preside over them.

 

S.B. 1080 amends current law relating to a study on the adequacy and appropriateness of additional compensation paid to certain county judges.

 

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. (a)  Requires the Texas Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System (OCA) to conduct a study to determine the adequacy and appropriateness of additional compensation paid to a county judge of a constitutional county court who:

 

(1)  serves in a county that does not have a county court at law; and

 

(2)  has at least jurisdiction of Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases, probate matters, guardianship matters, and  matters of mental health under Subtitle C (Texas Mental Health Code), Title 7, Health and Safety Code.

 

(b)  Requires OCA, in conducting the study, to prepare a report on the results of the study and recommendations on methods to improve compensation for county judges described by Subsection (a) of this section.

 

(c)  Requires OCA, not later than November 1, 2014, to submit a copy of the report prepared under Subsection (b) of this section to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairs of the appropriate committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over the judiciary.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act expires January 1, 2016.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2013.