By: Creighton S.B. No. 643
 
  (Faircloth)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to proceedings held in auxiliary facilities outside
  certain county seats.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 24.430, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  Section 24.490, relating to the 344th District Court,
  contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 253rd
  District Court in Chambers County.
         SECTION 2.  Section 24.490, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows:
         (d)  Notwithstanding Section 24.030, a district court in
  Chambers County may sit in a suitable facility outside the county
  seat if the facility is designated by the commissioners court as an
  auxiliary county seat, as provided by Section 292.031, Local
  Government Code. 
         (e)  A district court in Chambers County sitting in an
  auxiliary court facility designated by the commissioners court as
  an auxiliary county seat may hear, in all case types, the motions,
  arguments, nonjury trials and jury trials, and any other matters
  before the court within the court's jurisdiction. 
         (f)  The district clerk or the clerk's deputy serves as clerk
  of the court when a district court sits in a facility designated as
  an auxiliary county seat and may keep all necessary books, minutes,
  records, and papers at the facility.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 292, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 292.031 to read as follows:
         Sec. 292.031.  FACILITIES OUTSIDE COUNTY SEAT IN CERTAIN
  COUNTIES. (a)  This section applies only to a county with a
  population of less than 40,000 that is adjacent to a county with a
  population of more than 3.3 million.
         (b)  The commissioners court of a county may provide an
  auxiliary court facility, office building, or jail facility at a
  location in the county and within 10 miles of the boundaries of the
  county seat in the same manner that is applicable to a court,
  building, or facility at the county seat.  The commissioners court
  may provide for the building or facility through the issuance of
  bonds or other evidences of indebtedness as provided under Section
  292.002 and may provide office space in the building or facility for
  any county or precinct office.
         (c)  The auxiliary court facility may be used for the holding
  of court proceedings, including district court proceedings.  For
  the purpose of the court proceedings, the commissioners court may
  designate the location of the auxiliary court as an auxiliary
  county seat.
         (d)  The records of a county officer who is provided space at
  a court facility, building, or other facility under this section
  may be kept at the building or facility.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.