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.