HBA-KMH S.B. 952 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 952 By: Luna Judicial Affairs 4-7-1999 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, a district judge may send a criminal case to the magistrate by written order only. Authorizing a judge to read the referral into the minutes of the court might expedite the process of referring cases. S.B. 952 authorizes a judge to issue a written order of referral or to read the order of referral into the minutes of the court. 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 54.907(a), Government Code, to authorize a judge to issue a written order of referral or to read the order of referral into the minutes of the court. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.