S.B. No. 1139
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the operation and administration of and practice in
  courts in the judicial branch of state government, the composition
  of certain juvenile boards, and the increase of certain filing
  fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1.  ASSOCIATE JUDGES FOR CHILD SUPPORT AND CHILD PROTECTION
  CASES
         SECTION 1.01.  Section 201.101, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (b) and (d) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
  read as follows:
         (b)  If the presiding judge of an administrative judicial
  region determines under Subsection (a) that the courts in the
  region require the appointment of an associate judge, the presiding
  judge shall appoint an associate judge from a list of the qualified
  applicants who have submitted an application to the office of court
  administration. Before making the appointment, the presiding judge
  must provide the list to the judges of the courts from which cases
  will be referred to the associate judge. Each judge may recommend
  to the presiding judge the names of one or more applicants for
  appointment. An associate judge appointed under this subsection
  serves for a term of four years from the date the associate judge is
  appointed and qualifies for office. The appointment of an
  associate judge for a term does not affect the at-will employment
  status of the associate judge.  The presiding judge [may limit the
  appointment to a specified time period and] may terminate an
  appointment at any time.
         (b-1)  Before reappointing an associate judge appointed
  under Subsection (b), the presiding judge must notify each judge of
  the courts from which cases will be referred to the associate judge
  of the presiding judge's intent to reappoint the associate judge to
  another term. Each judge may submit to the presiding judge a
  recommendation on whether the associate judge should be
  reappointed.
         (d)  [If the presiding judge determines that a court requires
  an associate judge for Title IV-D cases, the presiding judge shall
  appoint an associate judge for that purpose.] Except as provided
  under Subsection (e), if an associate judge is appointed for a court
  under this subchapter, all Title IV-D cases shall be referred to the
  associate judge by a general order for each county issued by the
  judge of the court for which the associate judge is appointed, or,
  in the absence of that order, by a general order issued by the
  presiding judge who appointed the associate judge.  Referral of
  Title IV-D cases may not be made for individual cases or case by
  case.
         SECTION 1.02.  Section 201.1066, Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 201.1066.  SUPERVISION OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES.  (a)  The
  office of court administration shall assist the presiding judges
  in:
               (1)  monitoring the associate judges' compliance with
  job performance standards and federal and state laws and policies;
               (2)  addressing the training needs and resource
  requirements of the associate judges;
               (3)  conducting annual performance evaluations for the
  associate judges and other personnel appointed under this
  subchapter based on written personnel performance standards
  adopted by the presiding judges and performance information
  solicited from the referring courts and other relevant persons; and
               (4)  receiving, investigating, and resolving
  complaints about particular associate judges or the associate judge
  program under this subchapter based on a uniform process adopted by
  the presiding judges.
         (b)  The office of court administration shall develop
  procedures and a written evaluation form to be used by the presiding
  judges in conducting the annual performance evaluations under
  Subsection (a)(3).
         (c)  Each judge of a court that refers cases to an associate
  judge under this subchapter may submit to the presiding judge or the
  office of court administration information on the associate judge's
  performance during the preceding year based on a uniform process
  adopted by the presiding judges.
         SECTION 1.03.  Section 201.201, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsection (b-1)
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The presiding judge of each administrative judicial
  region, after conferring with the judges of courts in the region
  having family law jurisdiction and a child protection caseload,
  shall determine which courts require the appointment of a full-time
  or part-time associate judge to complete cases under Subtitle E
  within the times specified under that subtitle.
         (b)  If the presiding judge of an administrative judicial
  region determines under Subsection (a) that the courts in the
  region require the appointment of an associate judge, the presiding
  judge shall appoint an associate judge from a list of the qualified
  applicants who have submitted an application to the office of court
  administration. Before making the appointment, the presiding judge
  must provide the list to the judges of the courts from which cases
  will be referred to the associate judge. Each judge may recommend
  to the presiding judge the names of one or more applicants for
  appointment. An associate judge appointed under this subsection
  serves for a term of four years from the date the associate judge is
  appointed and qualifies for office. The appointment of an
  associate judge for a term does not affect the at-will employment
  status of the associate judge.  The presiding judge [may limit the
  appointment to a specified period and] may terminate an appointment
  at any time.
         (b-1)  Before reappointing an associate judge appointed
  under Subsection (b), the presiding judge must notify each judge of
  the courts from which cases will be referred to the associate judge
  of the presiding judge's intent to reappoint the associate judge to
  another term. Each judge may submit to the presiding judge a
  recommendation on whether the associate judge should be
  reappointed.
         (d)  [If the presiding judge determines that a court requires
  an associate judge, the presiding judge shall appoint an associate
  judge.] If an associate judge is appointed for a court, all child
  protection cases shall be referred to the associate judge by a
  general order for each county issued by the judge of the court for
  which the associate judge is appointed or, in the absence of that
  order, by a general order issued by the presiding judge who
  appointed the associate judge.
         SECTION 1.04.  Section 201.2061, Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 201.2061.  SUPERVISION OF ASSOCIATE JUDGES.  (a)  The
  office of court administration shall assist the presiding judges
  in:
               (1)  monitoring the associate judges' compliance with
  any applicable job performance standards, uniform practices
  adopted by the presiding judges, and federal and state laws and
  policies;
               (2)  addressing the training needs and resource
  requirements of the associate judges;
               (3)  conducting annual performance evaluations for the
  associate judges and other personnel appointed under this
  subchapter based on written personnel performance standards
  adopted by the presiding judges and performance information
  solicited from the referring courts and other relevant persons; and
               (4)  receiving, investigating, and resolving
  complaints about particular associate judges or the associate judge
  program under this subchapter based on a uniform process adopted by
  the presiding judges.
         (b)  The office of court administration shall develop
  procedures and a written evaluation form to be used by the presiding
  judges in conducting the annual performance evaluations under
  Subsection (a)(3).
         (c)  Each judge of a court that refers cases to an associate
  judge under this subchapter may submit to the presiding judge or the
  office of court administration information on the associate judge's
  performance during the preceding year based on a uniform process
  adopted by the presiding judges.
         SECTION 1.05.  (a)  The changes in law made by this article
  apply to the appointment of an associate judge under Subchapters B
  and C, Chapter 201, Family Code, on or after the effective date of
  this Act.
         (b)  An associate judge serving under Subchapter B or C,
  Chapter 201, Family Code, on the effective date of this Act is
  subject to the changes in law made by this article on and after that
  date. A presiding judge of an administrative judicial region who
  appoints or reappoints associate judges under those subchapters is
  subject to the changes in law made by this article on and after that
  date.
         (c)  Not later than October 1, 2015, the presiding judge
  shall either reappoint an associate judge serving under Subchapter
  B or C, Chapter 201, Family Code, or appoint a new associate judge
  to serve under those subchapters consistent with the changes in law
  made by this article.
  ARTICLE 2.  DISTRICT COURTS AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
         SECTION 2.01.  Section 24.154(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The terms of the 52nd District Court begin on the first
  Mondays in January and July [June].
         SECTION 2.02.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2017, Section
  24.275, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.275.  216TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GILLESPIE[,
  KENDALL,] AND KERR COUNTIES).  The 216th Judicial District is
  composed of Gillespie[, Kendall,] and Kerr counties.
         (b)  Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter C, Chapter 24,
  Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.591 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 24.591.  451ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (KENDALL COUNTY).
  (a)  The 451st Judicial District is composed of Kendall County.
         (b)  In addition to the other jurisdiction provided by law,
  the 451st District Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the
  County Court of Kendall County in all civil and criminal matters
  over which the county court would have original or appellate
  jurisdiction, including probate matters and proceedings under
  Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code.
         (c)  All civil and criminal matters within the concurrent
  jurisdiction of the county and district courts must be filed with
  the county clerk in the county court. The county clerk serves as
  the clerk of the district court for those matters.
         (c)  Effective January 1, 2017, Section 44.001, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 44.001.  ELECTION. The voters of each of the following
  counties elect a criminal district attorney:  Anderson, Austin,
  Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cass, Collin,
  Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland, Fannin, Galveston,
  Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jasper,
  Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison, Navarro,
  Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto, Smith,
  Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker,
  Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum.
         (d)  Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter B, Chapter 44,
  Government Code, is amended by adding Section 44.230 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 44.230.  KENDALL COUNTY. (a)  The criminal district
  attorney of Kendall County must meet the following qualifications:
               (1)  be at least 30 years old;
               (2)  have been a practicing attorney in this state for
  at least five years; and
               (3)  have been a resident of Kendall County for at least
  one year before election or appointment.
         (b)  The criminal district attorney has all the powers,
  duties, and privileges in Kendall County that are conferred by law
  on county and district attorneys in the various counties and
  districts.
         (c)  The criminal district attorney shall attend each term
  and session of the district and inferior courts of Kendall County,
  except municipal courts, held for the transaction of criminal
  business and shall exclusively represent the state in all criminal
  matters before those courts.
         (d)  The criminal district attorney shall represent Kendall
  County in any court in which the county has pending business.  This
  subsection does not require the criminal district attorney to
  represent the county in a delinquent tax suit or condemnation
  proceeding and does not prevent the county from retaining other
  legal counsel in a civil matter at any time it considers appropriate
  to do so.
         (e)  The criminal district attorney shall collect the fees,
  commissions, and perquisites that are provided by law for similar
  services rendered by a district or county attorney.
         (f)  The criminal district attorney is entitled to receive in
  equal monthly installments compensation from the state equal to the
  amount paid by the state to district attorneys. The state
  compensation shall be paid by the comptroller as appropriated by
  the legislature. The Commissioners Court of Kendall County shall
  pay the criminal district attorney an additional amount so that the
  total compensation of the criminal district attorney equals at
  least 90 percent of the total salary paid to the judge of the 451st
  District Court in Kendall County. The compensation paid by the
  county shall be paid in semiweekly or bimonthly installments, as
  determined by the commissioners court.
         (g)  The criminal district attorney or the Commissioners
  Court of Kendall County may accept gifts and grants from any
  individual, partnership, corporation, trust, foundation,
  association, or governmental entity for the purpose of financing or
  assisting effective prosecution, crime prevention or suppression,
  rehabilitation of offenders, substance abuse education, treatment
  and prevention, or crime victim assistance programs in Kendall
  County. The criminal district attorney shall account for and
  report to the commissioners court all gifts or grants accepted
  under this subsection.
         (h)  The criminal district attorney, for the purpose of
  conducting affairs of the office, may appoint a staff composed of
  assistant criminal district attorneys, investigators,
  stenographers, clerks, and other personnel that the commissioners
  court may authorize. The salary of a staff member is an amount
  recommended by the criminal district attorney and approved by the
  commissioners court. The commissioners court shall pay the
  salaries of the staff in equal semiweekly or bimonthly installments
  from county funds.
         (i)  The criminal district attorney shall, with the advice
  and consent of the commissioners court, designate one or more
  individuals to act as an assistant criminal district attorney with
  exclusive responsibility for assisting the commissioners court. An
  individual designated as an assistant criminal district attorney
  under this subsection must have extensive experience in
  representing public entities and knowledge of the laws affecting
  counties, including the open meetings and open records laws under
  Chapters 551 and 552.
         (j)  Kendall County is entitled to receive from the state an
  amount equal to the amount provided in the General Appropriations
  Act to district attorneys for the payment of staff salaries and
  office expenses.
         (k)  The legislature may provide for additional staff
  members to be paid from state funds if it considers supplementation
  of the criminal district attorney's staff to be necessary.
         (l)  The criminal district attorney and assistant criminal
  district attorney may not engage in the private practice of law or
  receive a fee for the referral of a case.
         (e)  Effective January 1, 2017, Section 46.002, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 46.002.  PROSECUTORS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER.  This chapter
  applies to the state prosecuting attorney, all county prosecutors,
  and the following state prosecutors:
               (1)  the district attorneys for Kenedy and Kleberg
  Counties and for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, [25th,]
  26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th,
  42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 63rd, 64th,
  66th, 69th, 70th, 76th, 79th, 81st, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 88th, 90th,
  97th, 100th, 105th, 106th, 109th, 110th, 112th, 118th, 119th,
  123rd, 132nd, 142nd, 143rd, 145th, 156th, 159th, 173rd, 196th,
  198th, 216th, 220th, 229th, 235th, 253rd, 258th, 259th, 266th,
  268th, 271st, 286th, 287th, 329th, 344th, 349th, 355th, 369th,
  452nd, and 506th judicial districts;
               (2)  the criminal district attorneys for the counties
  of Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell,
  Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland,
  Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo,
  Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison,
  Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto,
  Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker,
  Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum; and
               (3)  the county attorneys performing the duties of
  district attorneys in the counties of Andrews, Aransas, Callahan,
  Cameron, Castro, Colorado, Crosby, Ellis, Falls, Freestone,
  Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee,
  Limestone, Marion, Milam, Morris, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange,
  Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, Swisher, Terry, Webb, and
  Willacy.
         (f)  Effective January 1, 2017, the office of county attorney
  of Kendall County is abolished.
         (g)  Sections 25.1321 and 25.1322, Government Code, are
  repealed, and the County Court at Law of Kendall County is abolished
  on the date the 451st District Court is created.
         (h)  On the date the 451st District Court is created, all
  cases from Kendall County pending in the 216th District Court are
  transferred to the 451st District Court.  On the date the County
  Court at Law of Kendall County is abolished, all cases pending in
  the court are transferred to the 451st District Court. When a case
  is transferred from one court to another as provided by this
  section, all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, or other
  obligations issued from the transferring court are returnable to
  the court to which the case is transferred as if originally issued
  by that court. The obligees in all bonds and recognizances taken in
  and for a court from which a case is transferred and all witnesses
  summoned to appear in a court from which a case is transferred are
  required to appear before the court to which a case is transferred
  as if originally required to appear before the court to which the
  transfer is made.
         (i)  The 451st Judicial District is created January 1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.03.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter C,
  Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.584 to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 24.584.  440TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CORYELL COUNTY).  The
  440th Judicial District is composed of Coryell County.
         (b)  The 440th Judicial District is created January 1, 2017.
         (c)  Subchapter D, Chapter 74, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 74.0971 to read as follows:
         Sec. 74.0971.  LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICT JUDGE FOR
  CORYELL COUNTY. Notwithstanding Section 74.091(b), the local
  administrative district judge for Coryell County is selected on the
  basis of seniority from the district judges of the 52nd Judicial
  District and the 440th Judicial District.
         SECTION 2.04.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 24.590 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.590.  446TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ECTOR COUNTY).  The
  446th Judicial District is composed of Ector County.
         (b)  The 446th Judicial District is created September 1,
  2015.
         SECTION 2.05.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2016, Subchapter D,
  Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.641 to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 24.641.  507TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY).  The
  507th Judicial District is composed of Harris County.
         (b)  The 507th Judicial District is created January 1, 2016.
         SECTION 2.06.  (a)  Subchapter D, Chapter 24, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Sections 24.642 and 24.643 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 24.642.  469TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLLIN COUNTY).  The
  469th Judicial District is composed of Collin County.  The 469th
  District Court shall hear family law matters.
         Sec. 24.643.  470TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLLIN COUNTY).  The
  470th Judicial District is composed of Collin County.  The 470th
  District Court shall hear family law matters.
         (b)  The 469th and 470th Judicial Districts are created
  September 1, 2015.
         SECTION 2.07.  (a)  Subchapter D, Chapter 24, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 24.644 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.644.  505TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY).  
  The 505th Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County.
         (b)  The 505th Judicial District is created September 1,
  2015.
         SECTION 2.08.  (a)  Effective September 1, 2015, Section
  46.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 46.002.  PROSECUTORS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER.  This chapter
  applies to the state prosecuting attorney, all county prosecutors,
  and the following state prosecutors:
               (1)  the district attorneys for Kenedy and Kleberg
  Counties and for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 25th,
  26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th,
  42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 63rd, 64th,
  66th, 69th, 70th, 76th, 79th, 81st, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 88th, 90th,
  97th, 100th, 105th, 106th, 109th, 110th, 112th, 118th, 119th,
  123rd, 132nd, 142nd, 143rd, 145th, 156th, 159th, 173rd, 196th,
  198th, 216th, 220th, 229th, 235th, 253rd, 258th, 259th, 266th,
  268th, 271st, 286th, 287th, 329th, 344th, 349th, 355th, 369th,
  452nd, and 506th judicial districts;
               (2)  the criminal district attorneys for the counties
  of Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell,
  Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland,
  Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo,
  Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison, Navarro,
  Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto, Smith,
  Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker,
  Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum; and
               (3)  the county attorneys performing the duties of
  district attorneys in the counties of Andrews, Aransas, Callahan,
  Cameron, Castro, Colorado, Crosby, Ellis, Falls, Freestone,
  Gonzales, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca, Lee, Limestone, Marion,
  Milam, Morris, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange, Rains, Red River,
  Robertson, Rusk, Swisher, Terry, Webb, and Willacy.
         (b)  Section 43.156(b), Government Code, is repealed.
  ARTICLE 3.  STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS, COUNTY COURTS, COUNTY
  ATTORNEYS, AND CERTAIN COUNTY JUDGES
         SECTION 3.01.  (a)  Section 25.0331(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Cameron County has the following statutory county
  courts:
               (1)  County Court at Law No. 1 of Cameron County;
               (2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of Cameron County; [and]
               (3)  County Court at Law No. 3 of Cameron County;
               (4)  County Court at Law No. 4 of Cameron County; and
               (5)  County Court at Law No. 5 of Cameron County.
         (b)  Section 25.0332, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (b) to read as follows:
         (b)  The County Court at Law No. 4 of Cameron County shall
  give preference to probate, guardianship, and mental health
  matters.
         (c)  The County Court at Law No. 4 of Cameron County is
  created January 1, 2017.
         (d)  The County Court at Law No. 5 of Cameron County is
  created January 1, 2018.
         SECTION 3.02.  (a)  Section 25.0451(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Collin County has the following statutory county
  courts:
               (1)  County Court at Law No. 1 of Collin County;
               (2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of Collin County;
               (3)  County Court at Law No. 3 of Collin County;
               (4)  County Court at Law No. 4 of Collin County;
               (5)  County Court at Law No. 5 of Collin County; [and]
               (6)  County Court at Law No. 6 of Collin County; and
               (7)  County Court at Law No. 7 of Collin County.
         (b)  The County Court at Law No. 7 of Collin County is created
  on the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.03.  (a)  Section 25.0811, Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.0811.  FORT BEND COUNTY. Fort Bend County has the
  following statutory county courts:
               (1)  County Court at Law No. 1 of Fort Bend County;
               (2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of Fort Bend County;
               (3)  County Court at Law No. 3 of Fort Bend County;
  [and]
               (4)  County Court at Law No. 4 of Fort Bend County; and 
               (5)  County Court at Law No. 5 of Fort Bend County.
         (b)  The County Court at Law No. 5 of Fort Bend County is
  created January 1, 2016.
         SECTION 3.04.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2016, Section
  25.1031(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Harris County has the following county criminal courts:
               (1)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 1 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (2)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 2 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (3)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 3 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (4)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 4 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (5)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 5 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (6)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 6 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (7)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 7 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (8)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 8 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (9)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 9 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (10)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 10 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (11)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 11 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (12)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 12 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (13)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 13 of Harris
  County, Texas;
               (14)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 14 of Harris
  County, Texas; [and]
               (15)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 15 of Harris
  County, Texas; and
               (16)  County Criminal Court at Law No. 16 of Harris
  County, Texas.
         (b)  The County Criminal Court at Law No. 16 of Harris County
  is created January 1, 2016.
         SECTION 3.05.  Section 25.1112(e), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  The district clerk serves as the clerk of a county court
  at law for all criminal and civil matters except that the county
  clerk serves as the clerk of the county court at law in
  [uncontested] probate and guardianship matters. [The county clerk
  shall transfer to the district clerk any contested probate and
  guardianship matters filed with the county clerk.]
         SECTION 3.06.  Section 25.2222(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A county court at law in Tarrant County has jurisdiction
  over all civil matters and causes, original and appellate,
  prescribed by law for county courts. The County Court at Law No. 1
  of Tarrant County also has jurisdiction over all criminal matters
  and causes, original and appellate, prescribed by law for county
  courts. The County Courts at Law Nos. 2 and 3 of Tarrant County do
  not have criminal jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any other
  provision, a county court at law in Tarrant County has jurisdiction
  on any appeal from a municipal court of record in Tarrant County
  that is not an appeal of a criminal law case or proceeding.
         SECTION 3.07.  (a)  Subchapter D, Chapter 25, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 25.2607 to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.2607.  DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE COUNTY FOR
  MULTICOUNTY STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS. (a)  If a statute that
  establishes a multicounty statutory county court does not designate
  one of the counties that compose the multicounty statutory county
  court as the administrative county for that court, the county with
  the greatest population of the counties composing the court at the
  time the court is established is the administrative county for that
  court.
         (b)  The commissioners courts of the counties that compose a
  multicounty statutory county court may enter into an agreement to
  provide support for the court. The administrative county for the
  court may receive contributions from the other counties composing
  the court to pay the operating expenses of the court.
         (c)  Except for money provided by state appropriations or
  under an agreement under Subsection (b), the administrative county
  shall pay out of the county's general fund the salaries,
  compensation, and expenses incurred in operating the multicounty
  statutory county court.
         (d)  Notwithstanding Section 25.0015, the state shall
  annually compensate the administrative county of a multicounty
  statutory county court in an amount equal to 100 percent of the
  state salary of a district court judge in the county for the salary
  of the judge of the multicounty statutory county court.
         (e)  The court fees and costs collected by the clerk of a
  multicounty statutory county court shall be deposited in the
  appropriate county fund as provided by law.
         (b)  Effective January 1, 2019, Section 25.2701, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.2701.  1ST MULTICOUNTY COURT AT LAW (FISHER[,
  MITCHELL,] AND NOLAN COUNTIES).  Fisher[, Mitchell,] and Nolan
  Counties have a multicounty statutory county court composed of
  those counties, the 1st Multicounty Court at Law.
         (c)  Section 25.2702, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:
         (c-1)  Nolan County is the administrative county for the 1st
  Multicounty Court at Law.
         (d)  Section 25.2702(g), Government Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 3.08.  Section 26.223, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  If the county judge is licensed to practice law in this
  state, the [The] County Court of Jefferson County has [the general]
  jurisdiction concurrent with the County Court at Law of Jefferson
  County over all causes and proceedings, civil and criminal, [of a
  probate court and] juvenile and probate, original and appellate,
  over which by the constitution and general laws of this state county
  courts have jurisdiction [as provided by Section 26.042(b) but has
  no other civil or criminal jurisdiction].
         (a-1)  If the county judge is not licensed to practice law in
  this state, the County Court of Jefferson County has concurrent
  jurisdiction with the county courts at law in Jefferson County only
  in probate proceedings, administrations of estates, guardianship
  proceedings, mental illness proceedings, and juvenile matters as
  provided by Section 26.042(b).
         SECTION 3.09.  (a)  Section 43.122, Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.122.  36TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. The voters of
  [Aransas and] San Patricio County [counties] elect a district
  attorney for the 36th Judicial District who represents the state in
  that district court only in that county [those counties]. In
  addition to exercising the duties and authority conferred on
  district attorneys by general law, the district attorney represents
  the state in all criminal cases in the district courts in that
  county [those counties].
         (b)  Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 45.104 to read as follows:
         Sec. 45.104.  ARANSAS COUNTY. (a)  In Aransas County, the
  county attorney of Aransas County shall perform the duties imposed
  on and have the powers conferred on district attorneys by general
  law.
         (b)  The county attorney of Aransas County or the
  Commissioners Court of Aransas County may accept gifts or grants
  from any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, foundation,
  association, or governmental entity for the purpose of financing or
  assisting the operation of the office of county attorney in Aransas
  County. The county attorney shall account for and report to the
  commissioners court all gifts or grants accepted under this
  subsection.
         SECTION 3.10.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2017, Subchapter B,
  Chapter 45, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 45.194 to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 45.194.  GUADALUPE COUNTY. (a)  In Guadalupe County
  the county attorney of Guadalupe County shall perform the duties
  imposed on and have the powers conferred on district attorneys by
  general law and is entitled to be compensated by the state in the
  manner and amount set by general law relating to the salary paid to
  district attorneys by the state.
         (b)  The county attorney of Guadalupe County or the
  Commissioners Court of Guadalupe County may accept gifts or grants
  from any individual, partnership, corporation, trust, foundation,
  association, or governmental entity for the purpose of financing or
  assisting the operation of the office of county attorney in
  Guadalupe County.  The county attorney shall account for and report
  to the commissioners court all gifts or grants accepted under this
  subsection.
         (b)  Effective January 1, 2017, Section 43.112, Government
  Code, as amended by Chapters 644 (H.B. 717) and 872 (H.B. 696), Acts
  of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, is repealed.
         (c)  On January 1, 2017, the office of district attorney for
  the 25th Judicial District is abolished.
  ARTICLE 4. ELECTRONIC FILING
         SECTION 4.01.  Section 51.851(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  In addition to other fees authorized or required by law,
  the clerk of the supreme court, a court of appeals, a district
  court, a county court, a statutory county court, or a statutory
  probate court shall collect a $30 [$20] fee on the filing of any
  civil action or proceeding requiring a filing fee, including an
  appeal, and on the filing of any counterclaim, cross-action,
  intervention, interpleader, or third-party action requiring a
  filing fee to be used as provided by Section 51.852.
         SECTION 4.02.  Section 51.607, Government Code, does not
  apply to the imposition of a fee assessed under Section 51.851(b),
  Government Code, as amended by this article.
         SECTION 4.03.  The change in law made by amending Section
  51.851(b), Government Code, applies only to a fee that becomes
  payable on or after September 1, 2015. A fee that becomes payable
  before that date is governed by the law in effect when the fee
  became payable, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
  ARTICLE 5.  BAILIFFS
         SECTION 5.01.  Chapter 53, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G.  BAILIFFS FOR COUNTY COURTS AT LAW
  IN TARRANT COUNTY
         Sec. 53.101.  ASSIGNMENT OF BAILIFF. At least one bailiff
  shall be assigned regularly to each county court at law of Tarrant
  County.
         Sec. 53.102.  OFFICE OF BAILIFF; APPOINTMENT.  (a)  The
  judge of each county court at law of Tarrant County may appoint one
  person to serve as bailiff of that court. 
         (b)  The bailiff is an officer of the court and performs the
  duties of the office under the direction and supervision of the
  judge of the court. 
         Sec. 53.103.  TERM OF OFFICE. The bailiff holds office at
  the will of the judge of the court served by the bailiff.
         Sec. 53.104.  DUTIES. A bailiff shall perform the duties
  imposed on bailiffs under the general laws of this state and the
  other duties required by the judge of the court served.
         Sec. 53.105.  ASSIGNMENT OF BAILIFF BY SHERIFF. (a)  If the
  judge of a county court at law of Tarrant County does not appoint a
  person to serve as bailiff under Section 53.102, the sheriff of
  Tarrant County shall assign a bailiff for the court on written
  request of the judge.
         (b)  A bailiff assigned by the sheriff serves at the pleasure
  of the court to which the bailiff is assigned and shall perform the
  duties required by the judge of the court.
         (c)  On request of the judge of a county court at law, the
  sheriff shall immediately assign a bailiff to the court served by
  the judge to fill a temporary absence of the appointed or assigned
  bailiff.
         Sec. 53.106.  COMPENSATION.  A bailiff appointed by the
  judge of a county court at law of Tarrant County shall be
  compensated out of the general fund of the county in an amount to be
  set by the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County.
         SECTION 5.02.  Chapter 53, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter H to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER H.  BAILIFFS FOR FAMILY DISTRICT COURTS IN TARRANT
  COUNTY
         Sec. 53.121.  OFFICE OF BAILIFF. The judges of the 231st,
  233rd, 322nd, 323rd, 324th, 325th, and 360th district courts may
  appoint one person to serve as bailiff of that court and one person
  to serve as bailiff for the district court served by an associate
  judge of that district court. A bailiff is an officer of the court
  and performs the duties of the office under the direction and
  supervision of the judge of the court.
         Sec. 53.122.  APPOINTMENT. An order signed by the
  appointing judge and entered on the minutes of the court is evidence
  of appointment of a bailiff. The judge shall give written notice to
  the commissioners court and each constable of Tarrant County of the
  appointment and date employed.
         Sec. 53.123.  QUALIFICATIONS. A bailiff must be a citizen of
  the United States and must be 18 years of age or older.
         Sec. 53.124.  BAILIFF AS DEPUTY. On written notice of the
  appointment from the judge, a constable of the county may deputize
  the bailiff in addition to other deputies authorized by law.
         Sec. 53.125.  OATH. The following oath must be administered
  by the appointing judge to the bailiff appointed under this
  subchapter: "I solemnly swear that I will perform faithfully and
  impartially all duties required of me and required by law so help me
  God."
         Sec. 53.126.  TERM OF OFFICE. The bailiff holds office at
  the will of the judge of the court served by the bailiff.
         Sec. 53.127.  DUTIES. A bailiff shall perform the duties
  imposed on bailiffs under the general laws of this state and the
  other duties required by the judge of the court served.
         Sec. 53.128.  COMPENSATION. The bailiff shall be
  compensated out of the general fund of the county in an amount to be
  set by the Commissioners Court of Tarrant County.
  ARTICLE 6.  CERTAIN CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATE COURTS, CERTAIN
  CRIMINAL LAW HEARING OFFICERS, AND A JUVENILE BOARD
         SECTION 6.01.  (a)  Section 54.732, Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.732.  CREATION. The El Paso Criminal Law Magistrate
  Court is a court having the jurisdiction provided by this
  subchapter over offenses allegedly committed in El Paso County
  [except for that portion of the county in the corporate limits of
  Vinton, Texas].
         (b)  Section 54.733, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (j) to read as follows:
         (j)  The criminal law magistrate court has concurrent
  criminal jurisdiction with the justice courts located in El Paso
  County.
         (c)  Section 54.735, Government Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 54.735.  POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The criminal law
  magistrate court or a judge of the criminal law magistrate court may
  issue writs of injunction and all other writs necessary for the
  enforcement of the jurisdiction of the court and may issue
  misdemeanor writs of habeas corpus in cases in which the offense
  charged is within the jurisdiction of the court or of any other
  court of inferior jurisdiction in the county.  The court and the
  judge may punish for contempt as provided by law for district
  courts.  A judge of the criminal law magistrate court has all other
  powers, duties, immunities, and privileges provided by law for:
               (1)  justices of the peace when acting in a Class C
  misdemeanor case;
               (2)  county court judges when acting in a Class A or
  Class B misdemeanor case; and
               (3)  [for] district court judges when acting in a
  felony case.
         (b)  A judge of the criminal law magistrate court may hold an
  indigency hearing and a capias pro fine hearing. When acting as the
  judge who issued the capias pro fine, a judge of the criminal law
  magistrate court may make all findings of fact and conclusions of
  law required of the judge who issued the capias pro fine. In
  conducting a hearing under this subsection, the judge of the
  criminal law magistrate court is empowered to make all findings of
  fact and conclusions of law and to issue all orders necessary to
  properly dispose of the capias pro fine or indigency hearing in
  accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure
  applicable to a misdemeanor or felony case of the same type and
  level.
         (d)  Section 54.736(b), Government Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         (b)  The council of judges shall ensure that the criminal law
  magistrate court gives preference to magistrate duties, as those
  duties apply to the county jail inmate population first and then to
  newly detained individuals, until the commissioners court provides
  funds for more than one judge to sit on the criminal law magistrate
  court.
         (e)  Section 54.737(c), Government Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         (c)  The rules must provide that[:
               [(1)     a criminal law magistrate judge may not, on a
  regular basis, hold court or perform magistrate duties after 7 p.m.
  or before 7 a.m.; and
               [(2)]  a criminal law magistrate judge may only release
  a defendant under Article 17.031, Code of Criminal Procedure, under
  guidelines established by the council of judges.
         (f)  Sections 54.738(a) and (c), Government Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) or local
  administrative rules, the local administrative judge or a judge of
  the criminal law magistrate court may transfer between courts a
  case that is pending in the court of any magistrate in the criminal
  law magistrate court's jurisdiction if the case is:
               (1)  an [any] unindicted felony case;
               (2)  a[,] Class A [misdemeanor case,] or Class B
  misdemeanor case if an information has not been filed; or
               (3)  a Class C misdemeanor [and if the] case [is pending
  in the court of any magistrate in the criminal law magistrate
  court's jurisdiction].
         (c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d) or local
  administrative rules, the local administrative judge may assign a
  judge on the council of judges, a judge of the criminal law
  magistrate court, a retired judge, or any other magistrate to act as
  presiding judge in a case that is pending in the court of any
  magistrate in the criminal law magistrate court's jurisdiction if
  the case is:
               (1)  an [any] unindicted felony case;
               (2)  a[,] Class A [misdemeanor case,] or Class B
  misdemeanor case if an information has not been filed; or
               (3)  a Class C misdemeanor [and if the] case [is pending
  in the court of any magistrate in the criminal law magistrate
  court's jurisdiction].
         (g)  Section 54.739(d), Government Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         (d)  A case assigned under this subchapter to the criminal
  law magistrate court from a district court, [or] a county court at
  law, or a justice court remains on the docket of the assigning court
  and in the assigning court's jurisdiction.
         (h)  Section 54.741, Government Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 54.741.  FORFEITURES. Bail bonds and personal bonds
  may be forfeited by the criminal law magistrate court in the manner
  provided by Chapter 22, Code of Criminal Procedure, and those
  forfeitures shall be filed with:
               (1)  the district clerk if associated with a felony
  case;
               (2)  [, except in cases in which] the county clerk if
  associated with a Class A or Class B misdemeanor case; or
               (3)  the same justice court clerk associated with the
  Class C misdemeanor case in which the bond was originally filed [is
  the clerk under this subchapter].
         (i)  Section 54.742, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  When a justice clerk is the clerk under this subchapter,
  the justice clerk shall charge the same court costs for cases filed
  in, transferred to, or assigned to the criminal law magistrate
  court that are charged in the justice courts.
         (j)  Section 54.744, Government Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 54.744.  JUDGES ON EL PASO COUNCIL OF JUDGES. Unless
  the local rules of administration provide otherwise, the judges on
  the El Paso Council of Judges and the judges on the criminal law
  magistrate court may sit and act for any magistrate in El Paso
  County on any unindicted felony or Class A or B misdemeanor case if
  an information has not been filed or any Class C misdemeanor case
  filed in a justice court.
         (k)  Section 54.745(a), Government Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         (a)  As a condition for a defendant to enter any pretrial
  diversion program, including a behavioral modification program, a
  health care program, a specialty court program, or the functional
  equivalent that may be operated in El Paso County by El Paso County,
  Emergence Health Network, the City of El Paso, the West Texas
  Regional Adult Probation Department, a community partner approved
  by the council of judges, or a county or district attorney of El
  Paso County, a defendant must file in the court in which the charges
  are pending a sworn waiver of speedy trial motion requesting the
  court to approve without a hearing defendant's waiver of his speedy
  trial rights under the constitution and other law.  If the court
  approves the waiver, the defendant is eligible for consideration
  for acceptance into a pretrial diversion program or equivalent
  program.
         (l)  Sections 54.746(d) and (e), Government Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  A judge of a county court at law in El Paso County shall
  exercise jurisdiction granted by Subsection (a) over felony
  indictments and felony informations and justice court cases
  [information] only as a judge presiding for the court in which the
  felony or Class C misdemeanor is pending and only if the El Paso
  Council of Judges has so provided in the local administrative rules
  by a unanimous vote.  The exercise of this jurisdiction outside El
  Paso County is as provided by Chapter 74 and other law.
         (e)  A judge of a district court in El Paso County shall
  exercise jurisdiction granted by Subsection (a) over misdemeanor
  information and justice court cases only as a judge presiding for
  the court in which the misdemeanor is pending and only if the
  council of judges has so provided in the local administrative rules
  by a unanimous vote.  The exercise of this jurisdiction outside El
  Paso County is as provided by the Court Administration Act (Chapter
  74) and other law.
         (m)  Section 54.750, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  When conducting a capias pro fine hearing for any court,
  the criminal law magistrate court acts in the same capacity and with
  the same authority as the judge who issued the capias pro fine.
         (n)  Sections 54.753(a) and (b), Government Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The district clerk serves as clerk of the criminal law
  magistrate court, except that:
               (1)  after a Class A or Class B misdemeanor information
  is filed in the county court at law and assigned to the criminal law
  magistrate court, the county clerk serves as clerk for that
  misdemeanor case; and
               (2)  after a Class C misdemeanor is filed in a justice
  court and assigned to the criminal law magistrate court, the
  originating justice court clerk serves as clerk for that
  misdemeanor case.
         (b)  The district clerk shall establish a docket and keep the
  minutes for the cases filed in or transferred to the criminal law
  magistrate court.  The district clerk shall perform any other
  duties that local administrative rules require in connection with
  the implementation of this subchapter.  The local administrative
  judge shall ensure that the duties required under this subsection
  are performed.  To facilitate the duties associated with serving as
  the clerk of the criminal law magistrate court, the district clerk
  and the deputies of the district clerk may serve as deputy justice
  clerks and deputy county clerks at the discretion of the district
  clerk.
         (o)  Section 54.759, Government Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 54.759.  LOCATION OF COURT.  (a)  The criminal law
  magistrate court may be held at one or more locations [the location
  that is] provided by the local administrative rules or ordered by
  the local administrative judge.
         (b)  A defendant may be brought before the court in person or
  by means of an electronic broadcast system through which an image of
  the defendant is presented to the court.  For purposes of this
  subsection, "electronic broadcast system" means a two-way
  electronic communication of image and sound between the defendant
  and the court.
         SECTION 6.02.  (a)  Section 54.1356(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A criminal law hearing officer appointed under this
  subchapter has limited concurrent jurisdiction over criminal cases
  filed in the district courts, statutory county courts, and justice
  courts of the county.  The jurisdiction of the criminal law hearing
  officer is limited to:
               (1)  determining probable cause for further detention
  of any person detained on a criminal complaint, information, or
  indictment filed in the district courts, statutory county courts,
  or justice courts of the county;
               (2)  committing the defendant to jail, discharging the
  defendant from custody, or admitting the defendant to bail, as the
  law and facts of the case require;
               (3)  issuing search warrants and arrest warrants as
  provided by law for magistrates;
               (4)  as to criminal cases filed in justice courts,
  disposing of cases as provided by law, other than by trial, and
  collecting fines and enforcing judgments and orders of the justice
  courts in criminal cases;
               (5)  hearing, considering, and ruling on writs of
  habeas corpus filed under Article 17.151, Code of Criminal
  Procedure; [and]
               (6)  on motion of the district attorney:
                     (A)  dismissing a criminal case when the arresting
  agency has not timely filed the offense report with the district
  attorney; and
                     (B)  reducing the amount of bond on prisoners held
  at the county jail whose cases have not been filed in a district
  court or a statutory county court; and
               (7)  presiding over an extradition proceeding under
  Article 51.13, Code of Criminal Procedure.
         (b)  Section 54.1358, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:
         (f)  In accordance with Article 26.13, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, a criminal law hearing officer may accept a plea of
  guilty or nolo contendere.
         (g)  A criminal law hearing officer may determine whether a
  defendant is indigent and appoint counsel for an indigent
  defendant. 
         (c)  Subchapter BB, Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Section 54.1362 to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.1362.  PROCEEDINGS THAT MAY BE REFERRED. A district
  judge or a county court at law judge may refer to a criminal law
  hearing officer any criminal case for proceedings involving:
               (1)  a bond forfeiture;
               (2)  the arraignment of defendants;
               (3)  the determination of whether a defendant is
  indigent and the appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant;
  and
               (4)  a negotiated plea of guilty or nolo contendere
  before the court, in accordance with Article 26.13, Code of
  Criminal Procedure.
         SECTION 6.03.  Section 152.0131(a), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The juvenile board of Atascosa County is composed of the
  county judge, [and] the district judges in Atascosa County, and the
  judge of the County Court at Law of Atascosa County.
  ARTICLE 7.  TEMPORARY JUSTICES IN CERTAIN JUSTICE PRECINCTS
         SECTION 7.01.  Section 27.055, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
         (g)  This subsection applies to a county with a population of
  at least 120,000 but not more than 130,000, with territory less than
  940 square miles that includes a state park, and with not more than
  two justice precincts provided that at least one of the precincts
  contains all or part of a municipality with a population of at least
  190,000 but not more than 200,000.  The county judge of a county to
  which this subsection applies may appoint a qualified person to
  serve as a temporary justice of the peace for the precinct within
  which a municipality or part of a municipality is located to hold
  court and perform the duties of the justice when necessary to
  dispose of accumulated business in the precinct.
  ARTICLE 8.  TELEPHONE INTERPRETER SERVICES IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDING
         SECTION 8.01.  Article 38.30(a-1), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (a-1)  A qualified telephone interpreter may be sworn to
  interpret for the person in any criminal [the trial of a Class C
  misdemeanor or a] proceeding before a judge or magistrate if an
  interpreter is not available to appear in person at the proceeding
  [before the court] or if the only available interpreter is not
  considered to possess adequate interpreting skills for the
  particular situation or is unfamiliar with the use of slang.  In
  this subsection, "qualified telephone interpreter" means a
  telephone service that employs:
               (1)  licensed court interpreters as defined by Section
  157.001, Government Code; or
               (2)  federally certified court interpreters.
  ARTICLE 9.  COURTS AUTHORIZED TO HEAR MATTERS RELATED TO CAPIAS PRO
  FINE
         SECTION 9.01.  Article 43.05, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  If the court that issued the capias pro fine is
  unavailable, the arresting officer may take the defendant to one of
  the following locations in lieu of placing the defendant in jail:
               (1)  if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a
  county court or a statutory county court with Class A and Class B
  misdemeanor jurisdiction, to another court in the same county with
  concurrent jurisdiction over Class A and Class B misdemeanors or to
  a county criminal law magistrate in the same county; or
               (2)  if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a
  district court with felony jurisdiction, to another court in the
  same county with concurrent jurisdiction over felony cases or to a
  county criminal law magistrate in the same county.
         SECTION 9.02.  Article 45.045, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  If the court that issued the capias pro fine is
  unavailable, the arresting officer may take the defendant to one of
  the following locations in lieu of placing the defendant in jail:
               (1)  if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a
  justice of the peace, to a justice of the peace or county criminal
  law magistrate court with jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors
  that is located within the same county; or
               (2)  if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a
  municipal court, to a municipal court judge that is located within
  the same city.
         SECTION 9.03.  Article 45.046, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  For purposes of a hearing described by Subsection (a),
  if the court that issued the capias pro fine is unavailable, the
  following judicial officers may conduct the hearing:
               (1)  if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a
  justice of the peace, a justice of the peace or a county criminal
  law magistrate with jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors that is
  located within the same county as the issuing court; or
               (2)  if the court that issued the capias pro fine was a
  municipal court, a municipal court judge that is located within the
  same city as the issuing municipal court.
  ARTICLE 10.  EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 10.01.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act,
  this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1139 passed the Senate on
  April 27, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0;
  May 25, 2015, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 27, 2015, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 30, 2015, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 31,
  Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1139 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 22, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 138,
  Nays 2, two present not voting; May 27, 2015, House granted request
  of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  May 31, 2015, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 140, Nays 2, three present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor