81R19819 KFF-F
 
  By: Gonzales H.B. No. 4068
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4068:
 
  By:  Branch C.S.H.B. No. 4068
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the conduct of judicial proceedings and transaction of
  other essential judicial functions in the event of a disaster.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 22.0035 to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.0035.  SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO
  COURT PROCEEDINGS AFFECTED BY DISASTER.  (a)  In this section,
  "disaster" has the meaning assigned by Section 418.004.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other statute and to the extent
  permitted by the Texas and United States Constitutions, the supreme
  court may exercise the court's inherent authority by rule or order
  or on a case-by-case basis, with or without the consent of the
  parties, to temporarily suspend the provisions of any order, rule,
  or statute prescribing procedures for the conduct of any court
  proceeding affected by a disaster for the period the proceeding is
  affected. This authority includes the authority to:
               (1)  provide an abatement or stay;
               (2)  toll or modify a filing or service deadline;
               (3)  provide for a hearing or trial to occur at a
  location other than the municipality or county in which the
  proceeding was commenced;
               (4)  provide for a court of appeals to accept a filing,
  hear a case, or transact business in a remote courthouse; and
               (5)  provide alternate notice requirements.
         (c)  If a disaster prevents the supreme court from acting
  under Subsection (b), the chief justice of the supreme court may act
  on behalf of the supreme court under that subsection.
         (d)  If a disaster prevents the chief justice from acting
  under Subsection (c), the court of criminal appeals may act on
  behalf of the supreme court under Subsection (b).
         (e)  If a disaster prevents the court of criminal appeals
  from acting under Subsection (d), the presiding judge of the court
  of criminal appeals may act on behalf of the supreme court under
  Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.  Section 74.093(c), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The rules may provide for:
               (1)  the selection and authority of a presiding judge
  of the courts giving preference to a specified class of cases, such
  as civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law cases; [and]
               (2)  a coordinated response to ensure the transaction
  of essential judicial functions in the event of a disaster, as
  defined by Section 418.004; and
               (3)  any other matter necessary to carry out this
  chapter or to improve the administration and management of the
  court system and its auxiliary services.
         SECTION 3.  Section 418.002, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 418.002.  PURPOSES. The purposes of this chapter are
  to:
               (1)  reduce vulnerability of people and communities of
  this state to damage, injury, and loss of life and property
  resulting from natural or man-made catastrophes, riots, or hostile
  military or paramilitary action;
               (2)  prepare for prompt and efficient rescue, care, and
  treatment of persons victimized or threatened by disaster;
               (3)  provide a setting conducive to the rapid and
  orderly restoration and rehabilitation of persons and property
  affected by disasters;
               (4)  clarify and strengthen the roles of the governor,
  state agencies, the judicial branch, and local governments in
  prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from
  disasters;
               (5)  authorize and provide for cooperation in disaster
  mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery;
               (6)  authorize and provide for coordination of
  activities relating to disaster mitigation, preparedness,
  response, and recovery by agencies and officers of this state, and
  similar state-local, interstate, federal-state, and foreign
  activities in which the state and its political subdivisions may
  participate;
               (7)  provide an emergency management system embodying
  all aspects of predisaster preparedness and postdisaster response;
               (8)  assist in mitigation of disasters caused or
  aggravated by inadequate planning for and regulation of public and
  private facilities and land use; and
               (9)  provide the authority and mechanism to respond to
  an energy emergency.
         SECTION 4.  Section 418.042(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  In preparing and revising the state emergency
  management plan, the division shall seek the advice and assistance
  of local government, the judicial branch, business, labor,
  industry, agriculture, civic organizations, volunteer
  organizations, and community leaders.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.