88R6679 MLH-F
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 2268
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to matters referred to an associate judge under the Family
  Code.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 201.005(a) and (d), Family Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by this section, a judge of a court
  may refer to an associate judge any aspect of a suit or action,
  including any matter ancillary to the suit or action, over which the
  court has jurisdiction under:
               (1)  this title;
               (2)  [,] Title 1;
               (3)  [,] Chapter 35, 35A, or 45;
               (4)  [, or] Title 4;
               (5)  Subchapter A, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal
  Procedure; or
               (6)  Chapter 24A, Property Code [, including any matter
  ancillary to the suit].
         (d)  The requirements of Subsections (b) and (c) shall apply
  whenever a judge has authority to refer the trial of a suit or
  action described by Subsection (a) [under this title, Title 1,
  Chapter 45, or Title 4] to an associate judge, master, or other
  assistant judge regardless of whether the assistant judge is
  appointed under this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a suit or application that is filed on or after the effective
  date of this Act. A suit or application filed before the effective
  date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the
  suit or application was filed, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.