HBA-DMD H.B. 602 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 602 By: Naishtat Judicial Affairs 4/8/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE During the past 17 years, the population of Travis County has increased considerably, however, there have been no additional criminal courts created. This left the four existing courts with 4,150 pending cases and 2,152 new cases before each court during 1997. H.B. 602 creates two new judicial districts in Travis County that are required to give preference to criminal cases. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Sections 24.559 and 24.560, as follows: Sec. 24.559. 414TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS COUNTY). Creates the 414th Judicial District, composed of Travis County. Requires the 414th Judicial District to give preference to criminal cases. Sec. 24.560. 415TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS COUNTY). Creates the 415th Judicial District, composed of Travis County. Requires the 415th Judicial District to give preference to criminal cases. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.