BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 920

By: Springer

Juvenile Justice & Family Issues

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that certain district courts may be overburdened by the volume of family law cases. H.B. 920 seeks to reduce this volume of cases and proceedings by granting a county court at law in Cooke County concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law matters. 

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

H.B. 920 amends the Government Code to grant a county court at law in Cooke County concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases and proceedings. The bill establishes that the district clerk serves as clerk of such a county court at law in family law cases and proceedings and that the county clerk serves as clerk of the court in all other cases and proceedings.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.