84R7349 YDB-D
 
  By: Raymond H.B. No. 1427
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a review of state laws requiring an action or proceeding
  to be brought in Travis County or a Travis County court.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 325, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 325.0235 to read as follows:
         Sec. 325.0235.  REVIEW OF CERTAIN STATE LAWS. (a)  The
  commission shall review the laws of this state to identify each
  statute and state agency rule that requires an action or proceeding
  to be brought or considered in Travis County, a Travis County
  district or statutory county court, or the Court of Appeals for the
  Third Court of Appeals District.
         (b)  The commission shall make recommendations on whether
  the location of the action or proceeding in each statute or state
  agency rule identified under Subsection (a) serves a legitimate
  state purpose, other than the convenience of the state agency, that
  supersedes the interests of persons required to travel to Travis
  County to attend or participate in the action or proceeding or
  whether the identified statute or state agency rule should be
  revised to authorize an action or proceeding to be brought or
  considered in another county in this state.  If the commission
  recommends authorization of the action or proceeding in another
  county, the commission shall estimate any additional costs to this
  state that would be incurred in implementing the revision.
         (c)  The commission shall prepare a report on the statutes
  and state agency rules identified under Subsection (a) and the
  recommendations made and costs determined under Subsection (b) and
  post the report on the commission's Internet website not later than
  December 1, 2016.  The commission shall submit an electronic copy of
  the report prepared under this subsection to the governor,
  lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.
         (d)  The Texas Legislative Council shall assist the
  commission in identifying the statutes and state agency rules under
  Subsection (a) and the Legislative Budget Board shall assist the
  commission in estimating any additional costs to this state that
  would be incurred in implementing the recommendations made under
  Subsection (b).
         (e)  This section expires September 1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.