HBA-BSM H.B. 3649 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3649
By: Merritt
Judicial Affairs
7/19/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Previously, the legislature granted the Gregg County Court at Law
concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases and
proceedings.  This enabled the judge of the county court at law to hear
uncontested divorce and other family cases.  The Gregg County Board of
Judges have requested that the court at law be granted concurrent
jurisdiction with all district courts in Gregg County.  Over the last five
years, pending cases before the district courts have increased by more than
500 cases.  House Bill 3649 grants the Gregg County Court at Law concurrent
jurisdiction with district courts of Texas in civil and criminal cases,
except capital murder.   

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 3649 amends the Government Code to provide that a county court
of law in Gregg County has concurrent jurisdiction provided by the
constitution and general law for district courts, except that the county
court at law does not have jurisdiction in capital felony cases.  The bill
sets forth provisions for the composition of juries in cases tried before
the county court at law.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2003.