BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1913

By: Perry

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that there is a need to clarify the statutory authority of judges to hire a county court administrator in a county served by multiple district courts and statutory county courts. The parties raise concerns about the lack of a specific statutory authorization related to the position of court administrator in such a county but note that there are some county-specific statutes that authorize the position of a county court administrator. S.B. 1913 seeks to address this need.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1913 amends the Government Code to replace statutory provisions authorizing the establishment of a court administrator system in a county that has more than one county criminal court or more than one county court at law having both civil and criminal jurisdiction with provisions authorizing the establishment of a court administrator system in a county that has more than one district court or statutory county court. The bill authorizes the district courts or statutory county courts in such a county to establish and maintain a court administrator system on approval of the commissioners court. The bill authorizes the judges of the district courts or the statutory county courts to designate by local rule local court divisions and the duties of the court administrator for each division, if applicable. The bill specifies that the court administrator is required to cooperate with regional, presiding, and local administrative judges and state agencies having duties relating to the operation of the courts to promote uniform and efficient administration of justice.

S.B. 1913 establishes that the court administrator is appointed by the judges of the district courts or the statutory county courts served by the court administrator and that the court administrator serves at the pleasure of those judges. The bill entitles a court administrator to reasonable compensation, facilities, and equipment as determined by the judges served, with the approval of the commissioners court, and requires the judges of the courts served by the court administrator, with the approval of the commissioners court, to appoint appropriate staff and support personnel according to the needs of the local jurisdiction.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.