Amend CSHB 3474 (house committee report) as follows:

(1)  On page 3, line 21, between "(a)" and "Subchapter" insert "Effective October 1, 2023,".

(2)  On page 4, line 10, strike "September" and substitute "October".

(3)  On page 5, lines 4 and 20, strike "September" and substitute "October".

(4)  On page 6, strike line 21 and substitute "(B) service as a judge or a full-time associate judge of a district court, statutory county".

(5)  On page 7, strike line 7 and substitute "(B) service as a judge or a full-time associate judge of a district court, statutory county".

(6)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to ARTICLE 1 of the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 1 of the bill accordingly:

SECTION 1.____.  (a) Effective January 1, 2025, Section 24.275, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

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

(b)  The local administrative district judge shall transfer all cases from Gillespie County that are pending in the 216th District Court on January 1, 2025, to the 499th District Court.

(c)  When a case is transferred from a district court to another district court as provided by Subsection (b) of 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.

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.392, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(b)  The 213th District Court shall give preference to criminal cases.

(c)  The terms of the 213th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January, April, July, and October.

(d) [(c)]  In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 213th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.516, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(c)  The terms of the 371st District Court begin on the first Mondays in January, April, July, and October.

(d)  In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 371st District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.517, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(c)  The terms of the 372nd District Court begin on the first Mondays in January, April, July, and October.

(d)  In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 372nd District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.541, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(c)  The terms of the 396th District Court begin on the first Mondays in January, April, July, and October.

(d)  In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 396th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the county criminal courts and the justice courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.576, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.591, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:

(d)  Notwithstanding Section 24.030, a district court in Kendall County may sit outside the county seat in a suitable facility designated by the Kendall County Commissioners Court as an auxiliary court facility, as provided by Section 292.031, Local Government Code.

SECTION 1.____.  (a) Effective January 1, 2025, the heading to Section 24.596, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 24.596.  452ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT ([EDWARDS, KIMBLE,] MCCULLOCH, MASON, AND MENARD COUNTIES).

(b)  Effective January 1, 2025, Section 24.596(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a)  The 452nd Judicial District is composed of [Edwards, Kimble,] McCulloch, Mason, and Menard Counties.

(c)  The local administrative district judge shall transfer all cases from Edwards and Kimble Counties that are pending in the 452nd District Court on January 1, 2025, to the 499th District Court.

(d)  When a case is transferred from a district court to another district court as provided by Subsection (c) of 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 case is transferred.

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.60030, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:

SECTION 1.____.  (a) Effective October 1, 2025, Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60043 to read as follows:

(e)  Notwithstanding Section 24.030, a district court in Kendall County may sit outside the county seat in a suitable facility designated by the Kendall County Commissioners Court as an auxiliary court facility, as provided by Section 292.031, Local Government Code.

(b)  The 498th Judicial District is created on October 1, 2025.

SECTION 1.____.  (a) Effective January 1, 2025, Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60044 to read as follows:

(b)  The 499th Judicial District is created on January 1, 2025.

SECTION 1.____.  (a) Section 24.910, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b), (c), and (e) to read as follows:

(a-1)  Subchapter C applies to the Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 1.

(b)  This section applies to the Tarrant County Criminal District Courts Nos. 1, 2, [and] 3, and 4.

(c)  The criminal district courts have jurisdiction of criminal cases within the jurisdiction of a district court.  The criminal district courts also have concurrent original jurisdiction with the county criminal courts in Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases.  The criminal district courts do not have appellate misdemeanor jurisdiction.

(e)  The judge of each criminal district court or county criminal court may, on motion of the judge or the criminal district attorney, transfer misdemeanor cases between the courts by an order entered in the minutes of the transferor [transferring] court.  The clerk of the transferor [transferring] court shall certify the style and number of the case to the clerk of the transferee court [to which it is transferred] and include the papers of the case with the certification.  The [receiving] clerk of the transferee court shall promptly docket the transferred case.  The transferee [receiving] court shall dispose of the case as if it had been originally instituted in that court.

(b)  Section 24.910(f), Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.911, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

SECTION 1.____.  Section 24.912, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1)  Subchapter C applies to the Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 3.

SECTION 1.____.  (a) The heading to Section 24.913, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 24.913.  TARRANT COUNTY CRIMINAL JUDICIAL DISTRICT NO. 4 [OF TARRANT COUNTY].

(b)  Section 24.913, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (d-1) to read as follows:

(a)  The Tarrant County Criminal Judicial District No. 4 [of Tarrant County] is composed of Tarrant County.

(d)  Subchapter C applies to the Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 4 [of Tarrant County].

(c)  Sections 24.913(b), (c), and (e) are repealed.

(7)  On page 16, strike lines 12 through 19 and reletter the subsequent subsections of added Section 25.1723, Government Code, accordingly.

(8)  On page 20, line 6, between "(b)" and "to" insert "and amending Subsection (g)".

(9)  On page 20, between lines 9 and 10, insert the following:

(g)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at law in family law cases and proceedings and as clerk of County Court at Law No. 2 in cases and proceedings in which the court has concurrent jurisdiction with the district courts as provided by the constitution and general law, including jurisdiction in felony criminal cases. The[, and the] county clerk serves as clerk of a county [the] court at law in all other cases and proceedings. The commissioners court may employ as many deputy sheriffs and bailiffs as are necessary to serve the court.

(10)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to ARTICLE 2 of the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 2 of the bill accordingly:

SECTION 2.____.  Section 25.0732, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

SECTION 2.____.  (a) Section 25.1031(c), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c)  Harris County has the following statutory probate courts:

(1)  Probate Court No. 1 of Harris County, Texas;

(2)  Probate Court No. 2 of Harris County, Texas;

(3)  Probate Court No. 3 of Harris County, Texas; [and]

(4)  Probate Court No. 4 of Harris County, Texas; and

(5)  Probate Court No. 5 of Harris County, Texas.

(b)  Section 25.1034(j), Government Code, is repealed.

(c)  The Probate Court No. 5 of Harris County, Texas, is created on September 1, 2023.

SECTION 2.____.  Sections 25.1331 and 25.1332, Government Code, are repealed.

SECTION 2.____.  Sections 25.1572(a), (d), and (e), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law and except as limited by Subsection (b), a county court at law in McLennan County has:

(1)  concurrent jurisdiction with the district courts in state jail, third degree, and second degree felony cases and family law cases on assignment from a district judge presiding in McLennan County and acceptance of the assignment by the judge of the county court at law to:

(G)  conduct family law cases and proceedings; and

(2)  jurisdiction in:

(B)  probate proceedings;

(C)  eminent domain;

(E)  disputes ancillary to probate, eminent domain, condemnation, or landlord and tenant matters relating to the adjudication and determination of land titles and trusts, whether testamentary, inter vivos, constructive, resulting, or any other class or type of trust, regardless of the amount in controversy or the remedy sought [to conduct arraignments, conduct pretrial hearings, accept guilty pleas, and conduct probation revocation hearings in felony cases].

(d)  A judge of a county court at law shall be paid a total [an] annual [base] salary set by the commissioners court in an amount not less than $1,000 less than the annual [base] salary received by [the state pays to] a district judge [as set by the General Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012] with equivalent years of service as a [the] judge, as provided under Section 25.0005, to be paid out of the county treasury by the commissioners court. [A county court at law judge's and a district judge's annual base salaries do not include contributions and supplements paid by the county.]

(e)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at law in cases instituted in the district courts in which the county courts at law have [matters of] concurrent jurisdiction with the district court. The county clerk serves as the clerk of a county court at law in all other matters. Each clerk shall establish a separate docket for a county court at law.

SECTION 2.____.  (a) Sections 25.2223(a), (i), (j), (j-2), and (l), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a)  A county criminal court in Tarrant County has jurisdiction over all criminal matters and causes, original and appellate, prescribed by law for county courts, but does not have civil jurisdiction. In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, a county criminal court in Tarrant County has concurrent original jurisdiction of criminal cases with a district court other than felony cases involving capital murder.  The County Criminal Courts Nos. 9 [5] and 10 of Tarrant County also have concurrent jurisdiction within the county of all appeals from criminal convictions under the laws of this state and the municipal ordinances of the municipalities located in Tarrant County that are appealed from the justice courts and municipal courts in the county. [The County Criminal Courts Nos. 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of Tarrant County also have concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in felony cases to conduct arraignments, conduct pretrial hearings, and accept guilty pleas.]

(i)  The official court reporter of a county criminal court is entitled to the same fees and salary as a district court reporter and shall perform the same duties and take the oath of office as provided by law for district court reporters.  [The official court reporter for the County Criminal Court No.   1 or 3 of Tarrant County is not required to take testimony in cases in which neither a party nor the judge demands it.]

(j)  At least two bailiffs shall be assigned regularly to each county criminal court in [the County Criminal Court No.   1 of Tarrant County and the County Criminal Court No.   2 of] Tarrant County.  Except as provided by Subsection (j-2), each judge [the judges] of a county criminal court [the County Criminal Courts Nos. 1 and 2 of Tarrant County] shall [each] appoint one officer to act as bailiff of the judge's court, and the sheriff of Tarrant County shall appoint a bailiff for each court as prescribed by law.  The bailiffs serve at the pleasure of the court and shall perform the duties required by the judge of the court to which the bailiffs are assigned.

(j-2)  The judge of a county criminal court [listed in Subsection (j) or (j-1)] may authorize the sheriff to appoint all bailiffs in the judge's court.  If the sheriff is authorized by a judge to make the judge's appointment under this subsection, the sheriff shall appoint at least two officers to act as bailiffs for the judge's court.  A bailiff appointed under this subsection serves at the pleasure of the court and shall perform the duties required by the judge of the court to which the bailiff is assigned.

(l)  The County Criminal Courts Nos. [Court No.] 5 and 6 of Tarrant County [and the County Criminal Court No.   6 of Tarrant County] shall give preference to cases brought under Title 5, Penal Code, involving family violence as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, and cases brought under Sections 25.07, 25.072, and 42.07(a)(2) [42.072], Penal Code.

(b)  Sections 25.2223(b) and (j-1), Government Code, are repealed.

(11)  On page 22, line 21, following "COURTS", insert "AND CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTY COURTS".

(12)  Strike page 22, line 22, through page 23, line 3.

(13)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to ARTICLE 3 of the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 3 of the bill accordingly:

SECTION 3.____.  Section 26.315, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 26.315.  STEPHENS COUNTY. (a) In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the [The] County Court of Stephens County has original concurrent jurisdiction with the justice courts in all civil matters in which the justice courts have jurisdiction under general law [the general jurisdiction of a probate court and juvenile jurisdiction as provided by Section 26.042(b) but has no other criminal or civil jurisdiction].

SECTION 3.____.  Article 49.05(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  A justice of the peace may conduct an inquest:

(1)  at the place where the death occurred;

(2)  where the body was found; [or]

(3)  by videoconference with an individual who is:

(4)  at any other place determined to be reasonable by the justice.

(14)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to ARTICLE 4 of the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 4 of the bill accordingly:

SECTION 4.____.  Section 54.2001(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  The judges of the district and statutory county courts in Guadalupe County by majority [a unanimous] vote may appoint magistrates as authorized by the Commissioners Court of Guadalupe County.

SECTION 4.____.  Section 54.2502(c), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c)  A judge of the criminal law magistrate court is entitled to the salary set by the commissioners court. The salary may not be less than the annual base salary paid to a district judge under Section 659.012(a)(1) and must include compensation for services performed on behalf of Brazoria County [Chapter 659].

SECTION 4.____.  Section 54.651, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

SECTION 4.____.  Section 54.656(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a)  A judge may refer to a magistrate any criminal case or matter relating to a criminal case for proceedings involving:

(1)  a negotiated plea of guilty or nolo contendere [no contest] and sentencing before the court;

(2)  a bond forfeiture, remittitur, and related proceedings;

(3)  a pretrial motion;

(4)  a writ of habeas corpus;

(5)  an examining trial;

(6)  an occupational driver's license;

(7)  a petition for an order of expunction under Chapter 55, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(8)  an asset forfeiture hearing as provided by Chapter 59, Code of Criminal Procedure;

(9)  a petition for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information or an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information that does not require a petition provided by Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411;

(10)  a motion to modify or revoke community supervision or to proceed with an adjudication of guilt;

(11)  setting conditions, modifying, revoking, and surrendering of bonds, including surety bonds;

(12)  specialty court proceedings;

(13)  a waiver of extradition; and

(14)  any other matter the referring judge considers necessary and proper.

SECTION 4.____.  Subchapter H, Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 54.6585 to read as follows:

(15)  On page 45, line 10, strike "appoint" and substitute "assign [appoint]".

(16)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTION to ARTICLE 5 of the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 5 of the bill accordingly:

SECTION 5.____.  Subchapter C, Chapter 54A, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 54A.219 to read as follows:

(17)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTION to ARTICLE 6 of the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 6 of the bill accordingly:

SECTION 6.____.  Section 45.315, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 45.315.  STEPHENS COUNTY. (a)  The county attorney shall represent the state in all cases before the County Court of Stephens County.

(b)  The county attorney of Stephens County shall represent the state in all misdemeanor cases before the district court of the county.

(18)  On page 60, strike lines 7 through 11 and substitute the following:

(a)  The state shall reimburse a county:

(2)  $52 [$34] a day for the reimbursement paid under Section 61.001(a)(2) [61.001] to a person who reports for jury service in response to the process of a court for each day or fraction of each day after the first day in attendance in court in response to the process.

(19)  Strike page 74, line 24, through page 75, line 5, and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 10 of the bill accordingly.

(20)  Add the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to ARTICLE 13 of the bill and renumber subsequent SECTIONS of ARTICLE 13 of the bill accordingly:

SECTION 13.____.  Article 18.01(d), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(d)  Only the specifically described property or items set forth in a search warrant issued under Article 18.02(a)(10) or property, items or contraband enumerated in Article 18.02(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), or (12) may be seized. A subsequent search warrant may be issued pursuant to Article 18.02(a)(10) to search the same person, place, or thing subjected to a prior search under Article 18.02(a)(10) only if the subsequent search warrant is issued by a judge of a statutory county court, a district court, a court of appeals, the court of criminal appeals, or the supreme court.

SECTION 13.____.  Article 18.0215(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  A warrant under this article may be issued only by a judge, including a judge of a statutory county court, in the same judicial district as the site of:

(1)  the law enforcement agency that employs the peace officer, if the cellular telephone or other wireless communications device is in the officer's possession; or

(2)  the likely location of the telephone or device.

SECTION 13.____.  Sections 4-c(a), (c), (d), and (e), Article 38.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:

(a)  On a determination by the commission that a license holder or crime laboratory has committed professional negligence or professional misconduct under this article, violated the code of professional responsibility under this article, or otherwise violated this article or a rule or order of the commission under this article, the commission may, as applicable:

(1)  revoke or suspend the person's license or crime laboratory's accreditation;

(2)  refuse to renew the person's license or crime laboratory's accreditation; or

(3)  reprimand the license holder or crime laboratory.

(c)  The commission shall give written notice by certified mail of a determination described by Subsection (a) to the applicable [a] license holder or crime laboratory [who is the subject of the determination].  The notice must:

(1)  include a brief summary of the alleged negligence, misconduct, or violation;

(2)  state the disciplinary action taken by the commission; and

(3)  inform the license holder or crime laboratory of the license holder's or crime laboratory's right to a hearing before the Judicial Branch Certification Commission on the occurrence of the negligence, misconduct, or violation, the imposition of a disciplinary action, or both.

(d)  Not later than the 20th day after the date the license holder or crime laboratory receives the notice under Subsection (c), the license holder or crime laboratory may accept the disciplinary action or request a hearing by submitting a written request to the Judicial Branch Certification Commission to contest the findings of fact or conclusions of law, the occurrence of the negligence, misconduct, or violation, or the imposition of a disciplinary action, as applicable.  If the license holder or crime laboratory fails to timely submit a request, the commission's disciplinary action becomes final and is not subject to review by the Judicial Branch Certification Commission.

(e)  If the license holder or crime laboratory requests a hearing, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission shall conduct a hearing to determine whether there is substantial evidence to support the determination under Subsection (a) that the negligence, misconduct, or violation occurred [license holder committed professional misconduct or violated this article or a commission rule or order under this article].  If the Judicial Branch Certification Commission upholds the determination, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission shall determine the type of disciplinary action to be taken.  The Judicial Branch Certification Commission shall conduct the hearing, and any appeal of that commission's decision, in accordance with the procedures provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 153, Government Code, as applicable, and the rules of the Judicial Branch Certification Commission.

SECTION 13.____.  Article 42.15, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:

(21)  Add the following appropriately numbered ARTICLES and SECTIONS to the bill and renumber subsequent ARTICLES and SECTIONS accordingly:

ARTICLE ____.  JUVENILE BOARDS

SECTION ____.____.  Section 152.0671(a), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a)  The Denton County Juvenile Board is composed of the county judge, the district judges in Denton County, and the judge of any county court at law [statutory court] in the county.

SECTION ____.____.  Section 152.2264, Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 152.2264.  TARRANT COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT ADMINISTRATOR. (a) Subject to the approval of the commissioners court, the judges of the district courts that give preference to criminal cases, the judges of the criminal district courts, and the judges of the county criminal courts of Tarrant County [and county courts in Tarrant County that give preference to criminal matters] may use the services of a criminal courts administrator.

(b)  A judge may not be subjected to a suit for, and is immune from liability for damages arising from, an act or omission committed while performing a duty under this section unless the act or omission is:

(1)  committed intentionally, wilfully, or wantonly; or

(2)  committed with:

(A)  gross negligence; [or]

(B)  conscious indifference [or reckless disregard] for the safety of others; or

(C)  reckless disregard for the safety of others.

ARTICLE ____.  TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION

SECTION ____.____.  Section 79.012(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b)  The executive director:

(1)  [must be a licensed attorney;

[(2)]  must demonstrate an interest in the standards for and provision of criminal defense services to indigent individuals;

(2) [(3)]  may not engage in the private practice of law; and

(3) [(4)]  may not accept money, property, or any other thing of value not authorized by law for services rendered under this chapter.

ARTICLE ____.  ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS

SECTION ____.____.  Section 602.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 602.002.  OATH MADE IN TEXAS. An oath made in this state may be administered and a certificate of the fact given by:

(1)  a judge, retired judge, or clerk of a municipal court;

(2)  a judge, retired judge, senior judge, clerk, or commissioner of a court of record;

(3)  a justice of the peace, a retired justice of the peace, or a clerk of a justice court;

(4)  an associate judge, magistrate, master, referee, or criminal law hearing officer;

(5)  a notary public;

(6)  a member of a board or commission created by a law of this state, in a matter pertaining to a duty of the board or commission;

(7)  a person employed by the Texas Ethics Commission who has a duty related to a report required by Title 15, Election Code, in a matter pertaining to that duty;

(8)  a county tax assessor-collector or an employee of the county tax assessor-collector if the oath relates to a document that is required or authorized to be filed in the office of the county tax assessor-collector;

(9)  the secretary of state or a former secretary of state;

(10)  an employee of a personal bond office, or an employee of a county, who is employed to obtain information required to be obtained under oath if the oath is required or authorized by Article 17.04 or by Article 26.04(n) or (o), Code of Criminal Procedure;

(11)  the lieutenant governor or a former lieutenant governor;

(12)  the speaker of the house of representatives or a former speaker of the house of representatives;

(13)  the governor or a former governor;

(14)  a legislator or retired legislator;

(14-a)  the secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house of representatives;

(15)  the attorney general or a former attorney general;

(16)  the secretary or clerk of a municipality in a matter pertaining to the official business of the municipality;

(17)  a peace officer described by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, if:

(A)  the oath is administered when the officer is engaged in the performance of the officer's duties; and

(B)  the administration of the oath relates to the officer's duties; or

(18)  a county treasurer.

ARTICLE ____.  APPELLATE RECORD

SECTION ____.____.  (a) Subchapter B, Chapter 51, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 51.018 to read as follows:

(b)  Section 51.018, Government Code, as added by this section, applies only to a party that files a notice of appeal on or after January 1, 2024. A party that files a notice of appeal before January 1, 2024, is governed by the law in effect on the date the notice was given, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

ARTICLE ____.  DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS

SECTION ____.____.  The heading to Chapter 80, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 80. DELIVERY OF NOTICE, ORDERS, AND DOCUMENTS

SECTION ____.____.  Section 80.001, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 80.001.  DELIVERY OF NOTICE OR DOCUMENT.  A court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk may send any notice or document by a method authorized by Section 80.002(a) [80.002].

SECTION ____.____.  Section 80.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 80.002.  [AUTHORIZED] DELIVERY OF NOTICE, ORDER, OR DOCUMENT. (a) A court, justice, judge, magistrate, or clerk may send any notice or document using mail or electronic mail.  This subsection [section] applies to all civil and criminal statutes requiring delivery of a notice or document.