BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3354

By: Burrows

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the population of Lubbock County is outgrowing the statutory bracket allowing a justice of the peace court to conduct business in the Lubbock County Courthouse even if the courthouse is located outside of the court's precinct. H.B. 3354 seeks to address this issue by updating the population bracket in an exception that authorizes a Lubbock County justice of the peace court to conduct business in a building outside of the court's precinct.

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. 3354 amends the Local Government Code to change an exception to the prohibition against a justice of the peace court being housed or conducted in a building located outside the court's precinct from if the court is situated in the courthouse of a county with a population of at least 275,000 persons but no more than 285,000 persons to if the court is situated in the courthouse of a county with a population of at least 305,000 persons and the county seat of which is located in the Llano Estacado region of Texas.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.