BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2637

By: Calanni

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that the Supreme Court of Texas does not have adequate authority to modify or suspend procedures during a declared state of natural disaster. H.B. 2637 seeks to assist the court and citizens who may need time to recover after a natural disaster by providing for the extension of an order issued by the court relating to conducting court proceedings during such a disaster.

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. 2637 amends the Government Code to specify that, with respect to an order issued by the Supreme Court of Texas relating to conducting court proceedings during a disaster, an order so issued extends until terminated by a subsequent supreme court order and to remove the provision extending such an order for no more than 30 days from the date the order was signed unless renewed.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.