BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1398

By: Smith

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that requirements relating to the appointment and salary for bailiffs in Grayson County are too restrictive and prevent qualified bailiffs from being hired. H.B. 1398 seeks to help judges appoint and retain bailiffs more easily by changing these requirements.

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. 1398 amends the Government Code to authorize the 397th district court to appoint a bailiff. The bill requires the bailiff to be a U.S. citizen and entitles the bailiff to receive from the county a salary set by the judge.

H.B. 1398 removes as a qualification to serve as a bailiff in the 15th or 59th district court or in a statutory county court in Grayson County that the bailiff be a resident of Grayson County. The bill changes the county salary that such a bailiff is entitled to receive from a salary equal to the salary of a jailer employed by the Grayson County sheriff to a salary set by the judge.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.