AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Effective in January 2015, the Harrison County court at law became a full-time court. In order to increase judicial efficiency, S.B. 2068 expands the jurisdiction of the Harrison County court at law to have concurrent jurisdiction with the district court of Harrison County in all felony criminal matters and cases, with the exception of capital murder. The county court at law would also have civil jurisdiction, except in cases with amounts in controversy exceeding $200,000. Authority would be fully retained by the district court, which would have to delegate cases to the county court in order for it to have jurisdiction.
As proposed, S.B. 2068 amends current law relating to the Harrison County Court at Law.
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 25.1042(a) and (g), Government Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that, in addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 (Jurisdiction) and other law, a county court at law in Harrison County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court, on assignment of a district judge presiding in Harrison County, in:
(1) family law cases and proceedings;
(2) felony cases other than capital murder cases; and
(3) civil cases.
(g) Entitles the criminal district attorney to the same fees prescribed by law for prosecutions in the county court, except that in cases assigned under Subsection (a), the criminal district attorney is entitled to the same fees prescribed by law for prosecutions in a district court.
SECTION 2. Provides that Section 25.1042(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to an action filed in a district court in Harrison County on or after the effective date of this Act. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.