S.B. No. 749
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the authority and salary of a district judge presiding
  over multidistrict litigation proceedings in cases involving
  claims for asbestos-related or silica-related injuries.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 23.101, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
         (c)  A district judge who presides over multidistrict
  litigation involving claims for asbestos-related or silica-related
  injuries shall confer with a trial court regarding trial settings
  or other matters regarding remand. The trial court shall cooperate
  with the multidistrict litigation court and shall not continue or
  postpone a trial setting without the concurrence of the
  multidistrict litigation court.
         (d)  A district court judge who presides over multidistrict
  litigation involving claims for asbestos-related or silica-related
  injuries is a party in interest for the limited purpose of
  requesting mandamus enforcement of the priority in setting hearings
  and trials under Subsection (a)(7).
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 74, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER I. JUDGE PRESIDING OVER MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION
         Sec. 74.201.  STAFF. A district judge who presides over
  multidistrict litigation involving claims for asbestos-related or
  silica-related injuries may appoint one briefing attorney and not
  more than three clerks to assist the judge.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 659, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 659.0125 to read as follows:
         Sec. 659.0125.  SALARY FOR DISTRICT JUDGE PRESIDING OVER
  MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION. (a)  Notwithstanding Section 659.012 or
  any other law, a district judge who presides over multidistrict
  litigation involving claims for asbestos-related or silica-related
  injuries is entitled to receive, in addition to all other
  compensation, expenses, and perquisites authorized by law, the
  maximum amount of compensation set by the Texas Judicial Council
  for a presiding judge under Section 74.051(b). The annual amount
  must be apportioned over 12 equal monthly payments and be paid to
  the judge by the Texas Judicial Council for each month during which
  the judge retains jurisdiction over the claims.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, supplemental
  compensation paid to a district judge under this section is not
  included as part of the district judge's total annual salary for the
  purpose of computing another salary that is based on the salary of
  the district judge.
         SECTION 4.  The compensation authorized by Section 659.0125,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a month that
  begins on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 749 passed the Senate on
  April 26, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 749 passed the House on
  May 17, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor