HBA-JLV, CBW, EDN H.B. 1041 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1041
By: Smith
Judicial Affairs
66/13/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant
County was the only court in the county with jurisdiction over Class C
misdemeanor appeals from municipal and justice courts.  The growing volume
and complexity of family law cases filed in County Criminal Court No.5
resulted in Class C misdemeanor appeals being heard only one day a week.
The inability of the court to hear a sufficient number of these cases
created a significant backlog.  Expanding the jurisdiction of an existing
county criminal court in Tarrant County will reduce the backlog and may
help expedite the hearing of cases. House Bill 1041 expands the
jurisdiction of County Criminal Court No.10 of Tarrant County to include
Class C misdemeanor appeals. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1041 amends the Government Code to provide that the County
Criminal Court No.10 of Tarrant County has concurrent jurisdiction within
the county of all appeals from criminal convictions under the laws of this
state and the municipal ordinances of the municipalities located in Tarrant
County that are appealed from the justice courts and municipal courts in
the county.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 16, 2001.