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.