HBA-ATS H.B. 829 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 829 By: Telford Judicial Affairs 4/8/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Court of Appeals for the Sixth Court of Appeals District is composed of three justices hearing cases from nineteen counties (Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Titus, Upshur, and Wood). Texas law authorizes the court to transact its business in the City of Texarkana or the courthouse of the county seat of any county in the district as the court determines is necessary or convenient. The court is often unable to sit in many of the courthouses of the county seats because of the constant activity at these courthouses. Allowing the court to sit in locations in the county other than the courthouse of the county seat would allow the court to conduct its business more efficiently and give citizens throughout the county the opportunity to observe the court. H.B. 829 authorizes the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Court of Appeals District to transact its business in the county seat, rather than in the courthouse of the county seat, of any county in the district. 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 Section 22.207(b), Government Code, to authorize the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Court of Appeals District to transact its business in the county seat, rather than in the courthouse of the county seat, of any county in the district. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.