BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1807

By: Lucio

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, the 197th District Court has jurisdiction in both Cameron County and Willacy County.  Over the past several years the criminal felony cases filed in Willacy County have increased significantly, resulting in maximum capacity of the county jail.

S.B. 1807 allows the 444th District Court of Cameron County to have concurrent jurisdiction in Willacy County and further authorizes the court to hear cases not limited to family law matters while sitting in Willacy County.  The presence of a second court will facilitate an ability to adjudicate additional cases.

S.B. 1807 amends current law relating to the composition of the 444th Judicial District.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 24.640, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 24.640.  New heading: 444th JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON AND WILLACY COUNTIES).  (a)  Creates this subsection from existing text.  Provides that the 444th Judicial District is composed of Cameron and Willacy Counties, rather than being composed of Cameron County.

(b)  Provides that Section 24.601(b) (relating to providing that a family district court has primary responsibility for cases involving family law matters) does not apply to the 444th Judicial District when the court is sitting in Willacy County.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.