BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1080

By: Lucio

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties point out that many counties with a population of less than 50,000 do not have county courts at law and that the county judge of such a county spends two weeks each month on judicial duties pertaining to misdemeanor cases, probate and guardianship matters, and mental health care cases for which the judge receives compensation from the state in the amount of $15,000 per year.  The parties indicate that there is a need to determine whether the amount of such compensation is in accord with the judicial workload for which the county judge is being compensated by the state.  S.B. 1080 attempts to address this matter by requiring a study on the adequacy and appropriateness of additional compensation paid to certain county judges.

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

S.B. 1080, in a temporary provision set to expire January 1, 2016, 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 that does not have a county court at law and who has at least jurisdiction of Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases, probate matters, guardianship matters, and matters of mental health under the Texas Mental Health Code. The bill requires the office to prepare a report on the results of the study and recommendations on methods to improve compensation for such judges and to submit a copy of the report 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 not later than November 1, 2014.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.