HBA-BSM H.B. 2167 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2167 By: Keel Judicial Affairs 6/7/19/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Travis County Court at Law No. 4 was established in 1999 as a special court to handle misdemeanor family violence criminal cases and protective orders. In the same year, the penalty for a second family violence assault was increased to a felony of the third degree. Consequently, cases that would otherwise have been handled in County Court at Law Number 4 of Travis County were randomly assigned to criminal district courts in Travis County. In addition, County Court at Law Number 4 of Travis County issues protective orders. A primary concept of the domestic violence court is for the same court to hear any alleged criminal violations of protective orders that it has granted. Prior to the 77th Legislature, County Court at Law Number 4 of Travis County heard all violations of protective orders except those violated by assault or stalking, which is also a felony of the third degree. House Bill 2167 grants County Court at Law Number 4 of Travis County concurrent jurisdiction for family violence related felonies of the third degree. 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 2167 amends the Government Code to provide that the County Court at Law Number 4 of Travis County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in state jail felony cases and third degree felony cases involving family violence. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.