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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to matters referred to an associate judge under the Family |
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Code. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 201.005(a) and (d), Family Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by this section, a judge of a court |
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may refer to an associate judge any aspect of a suit or action, |
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including any matter ancillary to the suit or action, over which the |
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court has jurisdiction under: |
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(1) this title; |
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(2) [,] Title 1; |
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(3) [,] Chapter 35, 35A, or 45; |
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(4) [, or] Title 4; |
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(5) Subchapter A, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure; or |
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(6) Chapter 24A, Property Code [, including any matter |
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ancillary to the suit]. |
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(d) The requirements of Subsections (b) and (c) shall apply |
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whenever a judge has authority to refer the trial of a suit or |
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action described by Subsection (a) [under this title, Title 1, |
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Chapter 45, or Title 4] to an associate judge, master, or other |
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assistant judge regardless of whether the assistant judge is |
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appointed under this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a suit or application that is filed on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. A suit or application filed before the effective |
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date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the |
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suit or application was filed, and the former law is continued in |
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effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |