HBA-LCA S.B. 841 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 841
By: Harris
Judicial Affairs
4-22-1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Dallas-Fort Worth Airport partially overlaps several cities, which
creates a need to clarify statutes that apply to municipal court authority
concerning certain violations within the area.  S.B. 841 expands municipal
court jurisdiction to include the actions of a joint airport board, and
limits policing authority to within airport property by certain persons who
are unrelated to the joint board. 

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 29.003, Government Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (f), as follows: 

(a)  Authorizes a municipal court to have exclusive original jurisdiction
in a criminal case that arises under a resolution, rule, or order of a
joint operating board operating an airport under Section 22.074,
Transportation Code.  Expands reasons why certain fines may be assessed, to
include cases arising under resolutions, rules, or orders of a joint board.

(f)  Provides that this section does not affect the powers of a joint board
operating under Section 22.074(d), Transportation Code (County and
Municipal Airports).  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 22.074, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (e), to clarify municipal court jurisdiction involving Section
29.003, Government Code (Municipal Courts).  Limits the authority of
certain municipal officers or employees to enter airport property for
policing purposes, except as permitted by a valid interlocal agreement. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.