HBA-BSM C.S.H.B. 3171 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 3171
By: Thompson
Judicial Affairs
4/30/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many district courts in Texas are experiencing a growth in
pending cases or have a large backlog of cases.  The establishment of new
judicial districts may help alleviate the backlog in cases. C.S.H.B. 3171
creates additional judicial districts  composed of specified counties and
modifies the composition of other judicial districts. 

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

C.S.H.B. 3171 amends the Government Code to create the 397th Judicial
District which is composed of Hidalgo County and requires the 397th
District Court to give preference to cases and proceedings concerning
juvenile justice matters.  The bill creates the 412th Judicial District
which is composed of Fannin County and removes Fannin County from the 6th
and 336th judicial districts.  The bill adds Willacy County to the 404th
Judicial District.  The bill also creates the 413th Judicial District
composed of Johnson and Somervell counties, the 414th Judicial District
composed of McLennan County, and the 415th Judicial District composed of
Travis County, which is required to give preference to civil cases. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3171 differs from the original by replacing Collin County with
Fannin County in the composition of the 412th Judicial District.  The
substitute also removes Fannin County from the 6th and 336th Judicial
Districts and adds Willacy County to the 404th Judicial District.  The
substitute creates the 413th Judicial District composed of  Johnson and
Somervell counties,  the 414th Judicial District composed of McLennan
County, and the 415th Judicial District composed of Travis County.  The
substitute  provides that Hidalgo County composes the 397th rather than the
410th Judicial District.