S.B. No. 1139

AN ACT

relating to the operation and administration of and practice in courts in the judicial branch of state government, the composition of certain juvenile boards, and the increase of certain filing fees.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

ARTICLE 1. ASSOCIATE JUDGES FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND CHILD PROTECTION

CASES

SECTION 1.01. Section 201.101, Family Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b) and (d) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b) If the presiding judge of an administrative judicial region determines under Subsection (a) that the courts in the region require the appointment of an associate judge, the presiding judge shall appoint an associate judge from a list of the qualified applicants who have submitted an application to the office of court administration. Before making the appointment, the presiding judge must provide the list to the judges of the courts from which cases will be referred to the associate judge. Each judge may recommend to the presiding judge the names of one or more applicants for appointment. An associate judge appointed under this subsection serves for a term of four years from the date the associate judge is appointed and qualifies for office. The appointment of an associate judge for a term does not affect the at-will employment status of the associate judge. The presiding judge [may limit the appointment to a specified time period and] may terminate an appointment at any time.

(b-1) Before reappointing an associate judge appointed under Subsection (b), the presiding judge must notify each judge of the courts from which cases will be referred to the associate judge of the presiding judge's intent to reappoint the associate judge to another term. Each judge may submit to the presiding judge a recommendation on whether the associate judge should be reappointed.

(d) [If the presiding judge determines that a court requires an associate judge for Title IV-D cases, the presiding judge shall appoint an associate judge for that purpose.] Except as provided under Subsection (e), if an associate judge is appointed for a court under this subchapter, all Title IV-D cases shall be referred to the associate judge by a general order for each county issued by the judge of the court for which the associate judge is appointed, or, in the absence of that order, by a general order issued by the presiding judge who appointed the associate judge. Referral of Title IV-D cases may not be made for individual cases or case by case.

SECTION 1.02. Section 201.1066, Family Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 201.1066. SUPERVISION OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES. (a) The office of court administration shall assist the presiding judges in:

(1) monitoring the associate judges' compliance with job performance standards and federal and state laws and policies;

(2) addressing the training needs and resource requirements of the associate judges;

(3) conducting annual performance evaluations for the associate judges and other personnel appointed under this subchapter based on written personnel performance standards adopted by the presiding judges and performance information solicited from the referring courts and other relevant persons; and

(4) receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints about particular associate judges or the associate judge program under this subchapter based on a uniform process adopted by the presiding judges.

(b) The office of court administration shall develop procedures and a written evaluation form to be used by the presiding judges in conducting the annual performance evaluations under Subsection (a)(3).

(c) Each judge of a court that refers cases to an associate judge under this subchapter may submit to the presiding judge or the office of court administration information on the associate judge's performance during the preceding year based on a uniform process adopted by the presiding judges.

SECTION 1.03. Section 201.201, Family Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) The presiding judge of each administrative judicial region, after conferring with the judges of courts in the region having family law jurisdiction and a child protection caseload, shall determine which courts require the appointment of a full-time or part-time associate judge to complete cases under Subtitle E within the times specified under that subtitle.

(b) If the presiding judge of an administrative judicial region determines under Subsection (a) that the courts in the region require the appointment of an associate judge, the presiding judge shall appoint an associate judge from a list of the qualified applicants who have submitted an application to the office of court administration. Before making the appointment, the presiding judge must provide the list to the judges of the courts from which cases will be referred to the associate judge. Each judge may recommend to the presiding judge the names of one or more applicants for appointment. An associate judge appointed under this subsection serves for a term of four years from the date the associate judge is appointed and qualifies for office. The appointment of an associate judge for a term does not affect the at-will employment status of the associate judge. The presiding judge [may limit the appointment to a specified period and] may terminate an appointment at any time.

(b-1) Before reappointing an associate judge appointed under Subsection (b), the presiding judge must notify each judge of the courts from which cases will be referred to the associate judge of the presiding judge's intent to reappoint the associate judge to another term. Each judge may submit to the presiding judge a recommendation on whether the associate judge should be reappointed.

(d) [If the presiding judge determines that a court requires an associate judge, the presiding judge shall appoint an associate judge.] If an associate judge is appointed for a court, all child protection cases shall be referred to the associate judge by a general order for each county issued by the judge of the court for which the associate judge is appointed or, in the absence of that order, by a general order issued by the presiding judge who appointed the associate judge.

SECTION 1.04. Section 201.2061, Family Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 201.2061. SUPERVISION OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES. (a) The office of court administration shall assist the presiding judges in:

(1) monitoring the associate judges' compliance with any applicable job performance standards, uniform practices adopted by the presiding judges, and federal and state laws and policies;

(2) addressing the training needs and resource requirements of the associate judges;

(3) conducting annual performance evaluations for the associate judges and other personnel appointed under this subchapter based on written personnel performance standards adopted by the presiding judges and performance information solicited from the referring courts and other relevant persons; and

(4) receiving, investigating, and resolving complaints about particular associate judges or the associate judge program under this subchapter based on a uniform process adopted by the presiding judges.

(b) The office of court administration shall develop procedures and a written evaluation form to be used by the presiding judges in conducting the annual performance evaluations under Subsection (a)(3).

(c) Each judge of a court that refers cases to an associate judge under this subchapter may submit to the presiding judge or the office of court administration information on the associate judge's performance during the preceding year based on a uniform process adopted by the presiding judges.

SECTION 1.05. (a) The changes in law made by this article apply to the appointment of an associate judge under Subchapters B and C, Chapter 201, Family Code, on or after the effective date of this Act.

(b) An associate judge serving under Subchapter B or C, Chapter 201, Family Code, on the effective date of this Act is subject to the changes in law made by this article on and after that date. A presiding judge of an administrative judicial region who appoints or reappoints associate judges under those subchapters is subject to the changes in law made by this article on and after that date.

(c) Not later than October 1, 2015, the presiding judge shall either reappoint an associate judge serving under Subchapter B or C, Chapter 201, Family Code, or appoint a new associate judge to serve under those subchapters consistent with the changes in law made by this article.

ARTICLE 2. DISTRICT COURTS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS

SECTION 2.01. Section 24.154(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The terms of the 52nd District Court begin on the first Mondays in January and July [June].

SECTION 2.02. (a) Effective January 1, 2017, Section 24.275, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 24.275. 216TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GILLESPIE[, KENDALL,] AND KERR COUNTIES). The 216th Judicial District is composed of Gillespie[, Kendall,] and Kerr counties.

(b) Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.591 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.591. 451ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (KENDALL COUNTY). (a) The 451st Judicial District is composed of Kendall County.

(b) In addition to the other jurisdiction provided by law, the 451st District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the County Court of Kendall County in all civil and criminal matters over which the county court would have original or appellate jurisdiction, including probate matters and proceedings under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code.

(c) All civil and criminal matters within the concurrent jurisdiction of the county and district courts must be filed with the county clerk in the county court. The county clerk serves as the clerk of the district court for those matters.

(c) Effective January 1, 2017, Section 44.001, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 44.001. ELECTION. The voters of each of the following counties elect a criminal district attorney: Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland, Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto, Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum.

(d) Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter B, Chapter 44, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 44.230 to read as follows:

Sec. 44.230. KENDALL COUNTY. (a) The criminal district attorney of Kendall County must meet the following qualifications:

(1) be at least 30 years old;

(2) have been a practicing attorney in this state for at least five years; and

(3) have been a resident of Kendall County for at least one year before election or appointment.

(b) The criminal district attorney has all the powers, duties, and privileges in Kendall County that are conferred by law on county and district attorneys in the various counties and districts.

(c) The criminal district attorney shall attend each term and session of the district and inferior courts of Kendall County, except municipal courts, held for the transaction of criminal business and shall exclusively represent the state in all criminal matters before those courts.

(d) The criminal district attorney shall represent Kendall County in any court in which the county has pending business. This subsection does not require the criminal district attorney to represent the county in a delinquent tax suit or condemnation proceeding and does not prevent the county from retaining other legal counsel in a civil matter at any time it considers appropriate to do so.

(e) The criminal district attorney shall collect the fees, commissions, and perquisites that are provided by law for similar services rendered by a district or county attorney.

(f) The criminal district attorney is entitled to receive in equal monthly installments compensation from the state equal to the amount paid by the state to district attorneys. The state compensation shall be paid by the comptroller as appropriated by the legislature. The Commissioners Court of Kendall County shall pay the criminal district attorney an additional amount so that the total compensation of the criminal district attorney equals at least 90 percent of the total salary paid to the judge of the 451st District Court in Kendall County. The compensation paid by the county shall be paid in semiweekly or bimonthly installments, as determined by the commissioners court.

(g) The criminal district attorney or the Commissioners Court of Kendall County may accept gifts and grants from any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, foundation, association, or governmental entity for the purpose of financing or assisting effective prosecution, crime prevention or suppression, rehabilitation of offenders, substance abuse education, treatment and prevention, or crime victim assistance programs in Kendall County. The criminal district attorney shall account for and report to the commissioners court all gifts or grants accepted under this subsection.

(h) The criminal district attorney, for the purpose of conducting affairs of the office, may appoint a staff composed of assistant criminal district attorneys, investigators, stenographers, clerks, and other personnel that the commissioners court may authorize. The salary of a staff member is an amount recommended by the criminal district attorney and approved by the commissioners court. The commissioners court shall pay the salaries of the staff in equal semiweekly or bimonthly installments from county funds.

(i) The criminal district attorney shall, with the advice and consent of the commissioners court, designate one or more individuals to act as an assistant criminal district attorney with exclusive responsibility for assisting the commissioners court. An individual designated as an assistant criminal district attorney under this subsection must have extensive experience in representing public entities and knowledge of the laws affecting counties, including the open meetings and open records laws under Chapters 551 and 552.

(j) Kendall County is entitled to receive from the state an amount equal to the amount provided in the General Appropriations Act to district attorneys for the payment of staff salaries and office expenses.

(k) The legislature may provide for additional staff members to be paid from state funds if it considers supplementation of the criminal district attorney's staff to be necessary.

(l) The criminal district attorney and assistant criminal district attorney may not engage in the private practice of law or receive a fee for the referral of a case.

(e) Effective January 1, 2017, Section 46.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 46.002. PROSECUTORS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER. This chapter applies to the state prosecuting attorney, all county prosecutors, and the following state prosecutors:

(1) the district attorneys for Kenedy and Kleberg Counties and for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, [25th,] 26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th, 42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 63rd, 64th, 66th, 69th, 70th, 76th, 79th, 81st, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 88th, 90th, 97th, 100th, 105th, 106th, 109th, 110th, 112th, 118th, 119th, 123rd, 132nd, 142nd, 143rd, 145th, 156th, 159th, 173rd, 196th, 198th, 216th, 220th, 229th, 235th, 253rd, 258th, 259th, 266th, 268th, 271st, 286th, 287th, 329th, 344th, 349th, 355th, 369th, 452nd, and 506th judicial districts;

(2) the criminal district attorneys for the counties of Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland, Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo, Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto, Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum; and

(3) the county attorneys performing the duties of district attorneys in the counties of Andrews, Aransas, Callahan, Cameron, Castro, Colorado, Crosby, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Limestone, Marion, Milam, Morris, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, Swisher, Terry, Webb, and Willacy.

(f) Effective January 1, 2017, the office of county attorney of Kendall County is abolished.

(g) Sections 25.1321 and 25.1322, Government Code, are repealed, and the County Court at Law of Kendall County is abolished on the date the 451st District Court is created.

(h) On the date the 451st District Court is created, all cases from Kendall County pending in the 216th District Court are transferred to the 451st District Court. On the date the County Court at Law of Kendall County is abolished, all cases pending in the court are transferred to the 451st District Court. When a case is transferred from one court to another as provided by this section, all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, or other obligations issued from the transferring court are returnable to the court to which the case is transferred as if originally issued by that court. The obligees in all bonds and recognizances taken in and for a court from which a case is transferred and all witnesses summoned to appear in a court from which a case is transferred are required to appear before the court to which a case is transferred as if originally required to appear before the court to which the transfer is made.

(i) The 451st Judicial District is created January 1, 2017.

SECTION 2.03. (a) Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.584 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.584. 440TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CORYELL COUNTY). The 440th Judicial District is composed of Coryell County.

(b) The 440th Judicial District is created January 1, 2017.

(c) Subchapter D, Chapter 74, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 74.0971 to read as follows:

Sec. 74.0971. LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT JUDGE FOR CORYELL COUNTY. Notwithstanding Section 74.091(b), the local administrative district judge for Coryell County is selected on the basis of seniority from the district judges of the 52nd Judicial District and the 440th Judicial District.

SECTION 2.04. (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.590 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.590. 446TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ECTOR COUNTY). The 446th Judicial District is composed of Ector County.

(b) The 446th Judicial District is created September 1, 2015.

SECTION 2.05. (a) Effective January 1, 2016, Subchapter D, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.641 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.641. 507TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY). The 507th Judicial District is composed of Harris County.

(b) The 507th Judicial District is created January 1, 2016.

SECTION 2.06. (a) Subchapter D, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 24.642 and 24.643 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.642. 469TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLLIN COUNTY). The 469th Judicial District is composed of Collin County. The 469th District Court shall hear family law matters.

Sec. 24.643. 470TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLLIN COUNTY). The 470th Judicial District is composed of Collin County. The 470th District Court shall hear family law matters.

(b) The 469th and 470th Judicial Districts are created September 1, 2015.

SECTION 2.07. (a) Subchapter D, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.644 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.644. 505TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY). The 505th Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County.

(b) The 505th Judicial District is created September 1, 2015.

SECTION 2.08. (a) Effective September 1, 2015, Section 46.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 46.002. PROSECUTORS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER. This chapter applies to the state prosecuting attorney, all county prosecutors, and the following state prosecutors:

(1) the district attorneys for Kenedy and Kleberg Counties and for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th, 42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 63rd, 64th, 66th, 69th, 70th, 76th, 79th, 81st, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 88th, 90th, 97th, 100th, 105th, 106th, 109th, 110th, 112th, 118th, 119th, 123rd, 132nd, 142nd, 143rd, 145th, 156th, 159th, 173rd, 196th, 198th, 216th, 220th, 229th, 235th, 253rd, 258th, 259th, 266th, 268th, 271st, 286th, 287th, 329th, 344th, 349th, 355th, 369th, 452nd, and 506th judicial districts;

(2) the criminal district attorneys for the counties of Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland, Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo, Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto, Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum; and

(3) the county attorneys performing the duties of district attorneys in the counties of Andrews, Aransas, Callahan, Cameron, Castro, Colorado, Crosby, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Gonzales, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Limestone, Marion, Milam, Morris, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, Swisher, Terry, Webb, and Willacy.

(b) Section 43.156(b), Government Code, is repealed.

ARTICLE 3. STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS, COUNTY COURTS, COUNTY

ATTORNEYS, AND CERTAIN COUNTY JUDGES

SECTION 3.01. (a) Section 25.0331(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Cameron County has the following statutory county courts:

(1) County Court at Law No. 1 of Cameron County;

(2) County Court at Law No. 2 of Cameron County; [and]

(3) County Court at Law No. 3 of Cameron County;

(4) County Court at Law No. 4 of Cameron County; and

(5) County Court at Law No. 5 of Cameron County.

(b) Section 25.0332, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b) to read as follows:

(b) The County Court at Law No. 4 of Cameron County shall give preference to probate, guardianship, and mental health matters.

(c) The County Court at Law No. 4 of Cameron County is created January 1, 2017.

(d) The County Court at Law No. 5 of Cameron County is created January 1, 2018.

SECTION 3.02. (a) Section 25.0451(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Collin County has the following statutory county courts:

(1) County Court at Law No. 1 of Collin County;

(2) County Court at Law No. 2 of Collin County;

(3) County Court at Law No. 3 of Collin County;

(4) County Court at Law No. 4 of Collin County;

(5) County Court at Law No. 5 of Collin County; [and]

(6) County Court at Law No. 6 of Collin County; and

(7) County Court at Law No. 7 of Collin County.

(b) The County Court at Law No. 7 of Collin County is created on the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3.03. (a) Section 25.0811, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 25.0811. FORT BEND COUNTY. Fort Bend County has the following statutory county courts:

(1) County Court at Law No. 1 of Fort Bend County;

(2) County Court at Law No. 2 of Fort Bend County;

(3) County Court at Law No. 3 of Fort Bend County; [and]

(4) County Court at Law No. 4 of Fort Bend County; and

(5) County Court at Law No. 5 of Fort Bend County.

(b) The County Court at Law No. 5 of Fort Bend County is created January 1, 2016.

SECTION 3.04. (a) Effective January 1, 2016, Section 25.1031(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) Harris County has the following county criminal courts:

(1) County Criminal Court at Law No. 1 of Harris County, Texas;

(2) County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 of Harris County, Texas;

(3) County Criminal Court at Law No. 3 of Harris County, Texas;

(4) County Criminal Court at Law No. 4 of Harris County, Texas;

(5) County Criminal Court at Law No. 5 of Harris County, Texas;

(6) County Criminal Court at Law No. 6 of Harris County, Texas;

(7) County Criminal Court at Law No. 7 of Harris County, Texas;

(8) County Criminal Court at Law No. 8 of Harris County, Texas;

(9) County Criminal Court at Law No. 9 of Harris County, Texas;

(10) County Criminal Court at Law No. 10 of Harris County, Texas;

(11) County Criminal Court at Law No. 11 of Harris County, Texas;

(12) County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 of Harris County, Texas;

(13) County Criminal Court at Law No. 13 of Harris County, Texas;

(14) County Criminal Court at Law No. 14 of Harris County, Texas; [and]

(15) County Criminal Court at Law No. 15 of Harris County, Texas; and

(16) County Criminal Court at Law No. 16 of Harris County, Texas.

(b) The County Criminal Court at Law No. 16 of Harris County is created January 1, 2016.

SECTION 3.05. Section 25.1112(e), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) The district clerk serves as the clerk of a county court at law for all criminal and civil matters except that the county clerk serves as the clerk of the county court at law in [uncontested] probate and guardianship matters. [The county clerk shall transfer to the district clerk any contested probate and guardianship matters filed with the county clerk.]

SECTION 3.06. Section 25.2222(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A county court at law in Tarrant County has jurisdiction over all civil matters and causes, original and appellate, prescribed by law for county courts. The County Court at Law No. 1 of Tarrant County also has jurisdiction over all criminal matters and causes, original and appellate, prescribed by law for county courts. The County Courts at Law Nos. 2 and 3 of Tarrant County do not have criminal jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any other provision, a county court at law in Tarrant County has jurisdiction on any appeal from a municipal court of record in Tarrant County that is not an appeal of a criminal law case or proceeding.

SECTION 3.07. (a) Subchapter D, Chapter 25, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 25.2607 to read as follows:

Sec. 25.2607. DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE COUNTY FOR MULTICOUNTY STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS. (a) If a statute that establishes a multicounty statutory county court does not designate one of the counties that compose the multicounty statutory county court as the administrative county for that court, the county with the greatest population of the counties composing the court at the time the court is established is the administrative county for that court.

(b) The commissioners courts of the counties that compose a multicounty statutory county court may enter into an agreement to provide support for the court. The administrative county for the court may receive contributions from the other counties composing the court to pay the operating expenses of the court.

(c) Except for money provided by state appropriations or under an agreement under Subsection (b), the administrative county shall pay out of the county's general fund the salaries, compensation, and expenses incurred in operating the multicounty statutory county court.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 25.0015, the state shall annually compensate the administrative county of a multicounty statutory county court in an amount equal to 100 percent of the state salary of a district court judge in the county for the salary of the judge of the multicounty statutory county court.

(e) The court fees and costs collected by the clerk of a multicounty statutory county court shall be deposited in the appropriate county fund as provided by law.

(b) Effective January 1, 2019, Section 25.2701, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 25.2701. 1ST MULTICOUNTY COURT AT LAW (FISHER[, MITCHELL,] AND NOLAN COUNTIES). Fisher[, Mitchell,] and Nolan Counties have a multicounty statutory county court composed of those counties, the 1st Multicounty Court at Law.

(c) Section 25.2702, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:

(c-1) Nolan County is the administrative county for the 1st Multicounty Court at Law.

(d) Section 25.2702(g), Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 3.08. Section 26.223, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a) If the county judge is licensed to practice law in this state, the [The] County Court of Jefferson County has [the general] jurisdiction concurrent with the County Court at Law of Jefferson County over all causes and proceedings, civil and criminal, [of a probate court and] juvenile and probate, original and appellate, over which by the constitution and general laws of this state county courts have jurisdiction [as provided by Section 26.042(b) but has no other civil or criminal jurisdiction].

(a-1) If the county judge is not licensed to practice law in this state, the County Court of Jefferson County has concurrent jurisdiction with the county courts at law in Jefferson County only in probate proceedings, administrations of estates, guardianship proceedings, mental illness proceedings, and juvenile matters as provided by Section 26.042(b).

SECTION 3.09. (a) Section 43.122, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 43.122. 36TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. The voters of [Aransas and] San Patricio County [counties] elect a district attorney for the 36th Judicial District who represents the state in that district court only in that county [those counties]. In addition to exercising the duties and authority conferred on district attorneys by general law, the district attorney represents the state in all criminal cases in the district courts in that county [those counties].

(b) Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 45.104 to read as follows:

Sec. 45.104. ARANSAS COUNTY. (a) In Aransas County, the county attorney of Aransas County shall perform the duties imposed on and have the powers conferred on district attorneys by general law.

(b) The county attorney of Aransas County or the Commissioners Court of Aransas County may accept gifts or grants from any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, foundation, association, or governmental entity for the purpose of financing or assisting the operation of the office of county attorney in Aransas County. The county attorney shall account for and report to the commissioners court all gifts or grants accepted under this subsection.

SECTION 3.10. (a) Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 45.194 to read as follows:

Sec. 45.194. GUADALUPE COUNTY. (a) In Guadalupe County the county attorney of Guadalupe County shall perform the duties imposed on and have the powers conferred on district attorneys by general law and is entitled to be compensated by the state in the manner and amount set by general law relating to the salary paid to district attorneys by the state.

(b) The county attorney of Guadalupe County or the Commissioners Court of Guadalupe County may accept gifts or grants from any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, foundation, association, or governmental entity for the purpose of financing or assisting the operation of the office of county attorney in Guadalupe County. The county attorney shall account for and report to the commissioners court all gifts or grants accepted under this subsection.

(b) Effective January 1, 2017, Section 43.112, Government Code, as amended by Chapters 644 (H.B. 717) and 872 (H.B. 696), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, is repealed.

(c) On January 1, 2017, the office of district attorney for the 25th Judicial District is abolished.

ARTICLE 4. ELECTRONIC FILING

SECTION 4.01. Section 51.851(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) In addition to other fees authorized or required by law, the clerk of the supreme court, a court of appeals, a district court, a county court, a statutory county court, or a statutory probate court shall collect a $30 [$20] fee on the filing of any civil action or proceeding requiring a filing fee, including an appeal, and on the filing of any counterclaim, cross-action, intervention, interpleader, or third-party action requiring a filing fee to be used as provided by Section 51.852.

SECTION 4.02. Section 51.607, Government Code, does not apply to the imposition of a fee assessed under Section 51.851(b), Government Code, as amended by this article.

SECTION 4.03. The change in law made by amending Section 51.851(b), Government Code, applies only to a fee that becomes payable on or after September 1, 2015. A fee that becomes payable before that date is governed by the law in effect when the fee became payable, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

ARTICLE 5. BAILIFFS

SECTION 5.01. Chapter 53, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter G to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER G. BAILIFFS FOR COUNTY COURTS AT LAW

IN TARRANT COUNTY

Sec. 53.101. ASSIGNMENT OF BAILIFF. At least one bailiff shall be assigned regularly to each county court at law of Tarrant County.

Sec. 53.102. OFFICE OF BAILIFF; APPOINTMENT. (a) The judge of each county court at law of Tarrant County may appoint one person to serve as bailiff of that court.

(b) The bailiff is an officer of the court and performs the duties of the office under the direction and supervision of the judge of the court.

Sec. 53.103. TERM OF OFFICE. The bailiff holds office at the will of the judge of the court served by the bailiff.

Sec. 53.104. DUTIES. A bailiff shall perform the duties imposed on bailiffs under the general laws of this state and the other duties required by the judge of the court served.

Sec. 53.105. ASSIGNMENT OF BAILIFF BY SHERIFF. (a) If the judge of a county court at law of Tarrant County does not appoint a person to serve as bailiff under Section 53.102, the sheriff of Tarrant County shall assign a bailiff for the court on written request of the judge.

(b) A bailiff assigned by the sheriff serves at the pleasure of the court to which the bailiff is assigned and shall perform the duties required by the judge of the court.

(c) On request of the judge of a county court at law, the sheriff shall immediately assign a bailiff to the court served by the judge to fill a temporary absence of the appointed or assigned bailiff.

Sec. 53.106. COMPENSATION. A bailiff appointed by the judge of a county court at law of Tarrant County shall be compensated out of the general fund of the county in an amount to be set by the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County.

SECTION 5.02. Chapter 53, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter H to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H. BAILIFFS FOR FAMILY DISTRICT COURTS IN TARRANT

COUNTY

Sec. 53.121. OFFICE OF BAILIFF. The judges of the 231st, 233rd, 322nd, 323rd, 324th, 325th, and 360th district courts may appoint one person to serve as bailiff of that court and one person to serve as bailiff for the district court served by an associate judge of that district court. A bailiff is an officer of the court and performs the duties of the office under the direction and supervision of the judge of the court.

Sec. 53.122. APPOINTMENT. An order signed by the appointing judge and entered on the minutes of the court is evidence of appointment of a bailiff. The judge shall give written notice to the commissioners court and each constable of Tarrant County of the appointment and date employed.

Sec. 53.123. QUALIFICATIONS. A bailiff must be a citizen of the United States and must be 18 years of age or older.

Sec. 53.124. BAILIFF AS DEPUTY. On written notice of the appointment from the judge, a constable of the county may deputize the bailiff in addition to other deputies authorized by law.

Sec. 53.125. OATH. The following oath must be administered by the appointing judge to the bailiff appointed under this subchapter: "I solemnly swear that I will perform faithfully and impartially all duties required of me and required by law so help me God."

Sec. 53.126. TERM OF OFFICE. The bailiff holds office at the will of the judge of the court served by the bailiff.

Sec. 53.127. DUTIES. A bailiff shall perform the duties imposed on bailiffs under the general laws of this state and the other duties required by the judge of the court served.

Sec. 53.128. COMPENSATION. The bailiff shall be compensated out of the general fund of the county in an amount to be set by the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County.

ARTICLE 6. CERTAIN CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATE COURTS, CERTAIN

CRIMINAL LAW HEARING OFFICERS, AND A JUVENILE BOARD

SECTION 6.01. (a) Section 54.732, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 54.732. CREATION. The El Paso Criminal Law Magistrate Court is a court having the jurisdiction provided by this subchapter over offenses allegedly committed in El Paso County [except for that portion of the county in the corporate limits of Vinton, Texas].

(b) Section 54.733, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:

(j) The criminal law magistrate court has concurrent criminal jurisdiction with the justice courts located in El Paso County.

(c) Section 54.735, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 54.735. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The criminal law magistrate court or a judge of the criminal law magistrate court may issue writs of injunction and all other writs necessary for the enforcement of the jurisdiction of the court and may issue misdemeanor writs of habeas corpus in cases in which the offense charged is within the jurisdiction of the court or of any other court of inferior jurisdiction in the county. The court and the judge may punish for contempt as provided by law for district courts. A judge of the criminal law magistrate court has all other powers, duties, immunities, and privileges provided by law for:

(1) justices of the peace when acting in a Class C misdemeanor case;

(2) county court judges when acting in a Class A or Class B misdemeanor case; and

(3) [for] district court judges when acting in a felony case.

(b) A judge of the criminal law magistrate court may hold an indigency hearing and a capias pro fine hearing. When acting as the judge who issued the capias pro fine, a judge of the criminal law magistrate court may make all findings of fact and conclusions of law required of the judge who issued the capias pro fine. In conducting a hearing under this subsection, the judge of the criminal law magistrate court is empowered to make all findings of fact and conclusions of law and to issue all orders necessary to properly dispose of the capias pro fine or indigency hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure applicable to a misdemeanor or felony case of the same type and level.

(d) Section 54.736(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The council of judges shall ensure that the criminal law magistrate court gives preference to magistrate duties, as those duties apply to the county jail inmate population first and then to newly detained individuals, until the commissioners court provides funds for more than one judge to sit on the criminal law magistrate court.

(e) Section 54.737(c), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The rules must provide that[:

[(1) a criminal law magistrate judge may not, on a regular basis, hold court or perform magistrate duties after 7 p.m. or before 7 a.m.; and

[(2)] a criminal law magistrate judge may only release a defendant under Article 17.031, Code of Criminal Procedure, under guidelines established by the council of judges.

(f) Sections 54.738(a) and (c), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or local administrative rules, the local administrative judge or a judge of the criminal law magistrate court may transfer between courts a case that is pending in the court of any magistrate in the criminal law magistrate court's jurisdiction if the case is:

(1) an [any] unindicted felony case;

(2) a[,] Class A [misdemeanor case,] or Class B misdemeanor case if an information has not been filed; or

(3) a Class C misdemeanor [and if the] case [is pending in the court of any magistrate in the criminal law magistrate court's jurisdiction].

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d) or local administrative rules, the local administrative judge may assign a judge on the council of judges, a judge of the criminal law magistrate court, a retired judge, or any other magistrate to act as presiding judge in a case that is pending in the court of any magistrate in the criminal law magistrate court's jurisdiction if the case is:

(1) an [any] unindicted felony case;

(2) a[,] Class A [misdemeanor case,] or Class B misdemeanor case if an information has not been filed; or

(3) a Class C misdemeanor [and if the] case [is pending in the court of any magistrate in the criminal law magistrate court's jurisdiction].

(g) Section 54.739(d), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(d) A case assigned under this subchapter to the criminal law magistrate court from a district court, [or] a county court at law, or a justice court remains on the docket of the assigning court and in the assigning court's jurisdiction.

(h) Section 54.741, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 54.741. FORFEITURES. Bail bonds and personal bonds may be forfeited by the criminal law magistrate court in the manner provided by Chapter 22, Code of Criminal Procedure, and those forfeitures shall be filed with:

(1) the district clerk if associated with a felony case;

(2) [, except in cases in which] the county clerk if associated with a Class A or Class B misdemeanor case; or

(3) the same justice court clerk associated with the Class C misdemeanor case in which the bond was originally filed [is the clerk under this subchapter].

(i) Section 54.742, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) When a justice clerk is the clerk under this subchapter, the justice clerk shall charge the same court costs for cases filed in, transferred to, or assigned to the criminal law magistrate court that are charged in the justice courts.

(j) Section 54.744, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 54.744. JUDGES ON EL PASO COUNCIL OF JUDGES. Unless the local rules of administration provide otherwise, the judges on the El Paso Council of Judges and the judges on the criminal law magistrate court may sit and act for any magistrate in El Paso County on any unindicted felony or Class A or B misdemeanor case if an information has not been filed or any Class C misdemeanor case filed in a justice court.

(k) Section 54.745(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) As a condition for a defendant to enter any pretrial diversion program, including a behavioral modification program, a health care program, a specialty court program, or the functional equivalent that may be operated in El Paso County by El Paso County, Emergence Health Network, the City of El Paso, the West Texas Regional Adult Probation Department, a community partner approved by the council of judges, or a county or district attorney of El Paso County, a defendant must file in the court in which the charges are pending a sworn waiver of speedy trial motion requesting the court to approve without a hearing defendant's waiver of his speedy trial rights under the constitution and other law. If the court approves the waiver, the defendant is eligible for consideration for acceptance into a pretrial diversion program or equivalent program.

(l) Sections 54.746(d) and (e), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(d) A judge of a county court at law in El Paso County shall exercise jurisdiction granted by Subsection (a) over felony indictments and felony informations and justice court cases [information] only as a judge presiding for the court in which the felony or Class C misdemeanor is pending and only if the El Paso Council of Judges has so provided in the local administrative rules by a unanimous vote. The exercise of this jurisdiction outside El Paso County is as provided by Chapter 74 and other law.

(e) A judge of a district court in El Paso County shall exercise jurisdiction granted by Subsection (a) over misdemeanor information and justice court cases only as a judge presiding for the court in which the misdemeanor is pending and only if the council of judges has so provided in the local administrative rules by a unanimous vote. The exercise of this jurisdiction outside El Paso County is as provided by the Court Administration Act (Chapter 74) and other law.

(m) Section 54.750, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) When conducting a capias pro fine hearing for any court, the criminal law magistrate court acts in the same capacity and with the same authority as the judge who issued the capias pro fine.

(n) Sections 54.753(a) and (b), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The district clerk serves as clerk of the criminal law magistrate court, except that:

(1) after a Class A or Class B misdemeanor information is filed in the county court at law and assigned to the criminal law magistrate court, the county clerk serves as clerk for that misdemeanor case; and

(2) after a Class C misdemeanor is filed in a justice court and assigned to the criminal law magistrate court, the originating justice court clerk serves as clerk for that misdemeanor case.

(b) The district clerk shall establish a docket and keep the minutes for the cases filed in or transferred to the criminal law magistrate court. The district clerk shall perform any other duties that local administrative rules require in connection with the implementation of this subchapter. The local administrative judge shall ensure that the duties required under this subsection are performed. To facilitate the duties associated with serving as the clerk of the criminal law magistrate court, the district clerk and the deputies of the district clerk may serve as deputy justice clerks and deputy county clerks at the discretion of the district clerk.

(o) Section 54.759, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 54.759. LOCATION OF COURT. (a) The criminal law magistrate court may be held at one or more locations [the location that is] provided by the local administrative rules or ordered by the local administrative judge.

(b) A defendant may be brought before the court in person or by means of an electronic broadcast system through which an image of the defendant is presented to the court. For purposes of this subsection, "electronic broadcast system" means a two-way electronic communication of image and sound between the defendant and the court.

SECTION 6.02. (a) Section 54.1356(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A criminal law hearing officer appointed under this subchapter has limited concurrent jurisdiction over criminal cases filed in the district courts, statutory county courts, and justice courts of the county. The jurisdiction of the criminal law hearing officer is limited to:

(1) determining probable cause for further detention of any person detained on a criminal complaint, information, or indictment filed in the district courts, statutory county courts, or justice courts of the county;

(2) committing the defendant to jail, discharging the defendant from custody, or admitting the defendant to bail, as the law and facts of the case require;

(3) issuing search warrants and arrest warrants as provided by law for magistrates;

(4) as to criminal cases filed in justice courts, disposing of cases as provided by law, other than by trial, and collecting fines and enforcing judgments and orders of the justice courts in criminal cases;

(5) hearing, considering, and ruling on writs of habeas corpus filed under Article 17.151, Code of Criminal Procedure; [and]

(6) on motion of the district attorney:

(A) dismissing a criminal case when the arresting agency has not timely filed the offense report with the district attorney; and

(B) reducing the amount of bond on prisoners held at the county jail whose cases have not been filed in a district court or a statutory county court; and

(7) presiding over an extradition proceeding under Article 51.13, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(b) Section 54.1358, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:

(f) In accordance with Article 26.13, Code of Criminal Procedure, a criminal law hearing officer may accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.

(g) A criminal law hearing officer may determine whether a defendant is indigent and appoint counsel for an indigent defendant.

(c) Subchapter BB, Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 54.1362 to read as follows:

Sec. 54.1362. PROCEEDINGS THAT MAY BE REFERRED. A district judge or a county court at law judge may refer to a criminal law hearing officer any criminal case for proceedings involving:

(1) a bond forfeiture;

(2) the arraignment of defendants;

(3) the determination of whether a defendant is indigent and the appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant; and

(4) a negotiated plea of guilty or nolo contendere before the court, in accordance with Article 26.13, Code of Criminal Procedure.

SECTION 6.03. Section 152.0131(a), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The juvenile board of Atascosa County is composed of the county judge, [and] the district judges in Atascosa County, and the judge of the County Court at Law of Atascosa County.

ARTICLE 7. TEMPORARY JUSTICES IN CERTAIN JUSTICE PRECINCTS

SECTION 7.01. Section 27.055, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:

(g) This subsection applies to a county with a population of at least 120,000 but not more than 130,000, with territory less than 940 square miles that includes a state park, and with not more than two justice precincts provided that at least one of the precincts contains all or part of a municipality with a population of at least 190,000 but not more than 200,000. The county judge of a county to which this subsection applies may appoint a qualified person to serve as a temporary justice of the peace for the precinct within which a municipality or part of a municipality is located to hold court and perform the duties of the justice when necessary to dispose of accumulated business in the precinct.

ARTICLE 8. TELEPHONE INTERPRETER SERVICES IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDING

SECTION 8.01. Article 38.30(a-1), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(a-1) A qualified telephone interpreter may be sworn to interpret for the person in any criminal [the trial of a Class C misdemeanor or a] proceeding before a judge or magistrate if an interpreter is not available to appear in person at the proceeding [before the court] or if the only available interpreter is not considered to possess adequate interpreting skills for the particular situation or is unfamiliar with the use of slang. In this subsection, "qualified telephone interpreter" means a telephone service that employs:

(1) licensed court interpreters as defined by Section 157.001, Government Code; or

(2) federally certified court interpreters.

ARTICLE 9. COURTS AUTHORIZED TO HEAR MATTERS RELATED TO CAPIAS PRO

FINE

SECTION 9.01. Article 43.05, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) If the court that issued the capias pro fine is unavailable, the arresting officer may take the defendant to one of the following locations in lieu of placing the defendant in jail:

(1) if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a county court or a statutory county court with Class A and Class B misdemeanor jurisdiction, to another court in the same county with concurrent jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors or to a county criminal law magistrate in the same county; or

(2) if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a district court with felony jurisdiction, to another court in the same county with concurrent jurisdiction over felony cases or to a county criminal law magistrate in the same county.

SECTION 9.02. Article 45.045, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1) If the court that issued the capias pro fine is unavailable, the arresting officer may take the defendant to one of the following locations in lieu of placing the defendant in jail:

(1) if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a justice of the peace, to a justice of the peace or county criminal law magistrate court with jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors that is located within the same county; or

(2) if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a municipal court, to a municipal court judge that is located within the same city.

SECTION 9.03. Article 45.046, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) For purposes of a hearing described by Subsection (a), if the court that issued the capias pro fine is unavailable, the following judicial officers may conduct the hearing:

(1) if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a justice of the peace, a justice of the peace or a county criminal law magistrate with jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors that is located within the same county as the issuing court; or

(2) if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a municipal court, a municipal court judge that is located within the same city as the issuing municipal court.

ARTICLE 10. EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 10.01. Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1139 passed the Senate on April 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; May 25, 2015, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2015, House granted request of the Senate; May 30, 2015, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1139 passed the House, with amendments, on May 22, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 2, two present not voting; May 27, 2015, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; May 31, 2015, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 2, three present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

______________________________

Governor