H.B. No. 3774

	AN ACT
	relating to the operation and administration of and practice and
	procedure related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state
	government.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	ARTICLE 1. DISTRICT COURTS
	SECTION 1.01.  (a) Effective January 1, 2022, Section
	24.129(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The 27th, 146th, 169th, 264th, [and] 426th, and 478th
	judicial districts have concurrent jurisdiction in Bell County.
	(b)  Effective January 1, 2022, Subchapter C, Chapter 24,
	Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60022 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 24.60022.  478TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BELL COUNTY). (a)
	The 478th Judicial District is composed of Bell County.
	(b)  The terms of the 478th District Court begin on the first
	Mondays in January, April, July, and October.
	(c)  Section 24.129, relating to the 27th District Court,
	contains provisions applicable to both that court and the 478th
	District Court.
	(c)  The 478th Judicial District is created on January 1,
	2022.
	SECTION 1.02.  (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
	Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60027 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60027.  482ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY).
	The 482nd Judicial District is composed of Harris County.
	(b)  The 482nd Judicial District is created on the effective
	date of this Act.
	SECTION 1.03.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2022, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60030
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60030.  485TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY).
	(a) The 485th Judicial District is composed of Tarrant County.
	(b)  The 485th District Court shall give preference to
	criminal matters.
	(b)  The 485th Judicial District is created on January 1,
	2022.
	SECTION 1.04.  (a) Effective October 1, 2022, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60025
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60025.  480TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WILLIAMSON
	COUNTY).  The 480th Judicial District is composed of Williamson
	County.
	(b)  The 480th Judicial District is created on October 1,
	2022.
	SECTION 1.05.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2022, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60026
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60026.  481ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DENTON COUNTY).
	The 481st Judicial District is composed of Denton County.
	(b)  The 481st Judicial District is created on January 1,
	2022.
	SECTION 1.06.  (a) Effective September 1, 2022, Subchapter
	C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section
	24.60028 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60028.  483RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HAYS COUNTY). The
	483rd Judicial District is composed of Hays County.
	(b)  The 483rd Judicial District is created on September 1,
	2022.
	SECTION 1.07.  (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
	Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60029 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60029.  484TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (CAMERON COUNTY).
	(a) The 484th Judicial District is composed of Cameron County.
	(b)  The 484th District Court shall give preference to
	juvenile matters under Title 3, Family Code.
	(b)  The 484th Judicial District is created on the effective
	date of this Act.
	SECTION 1.08.  (a) Effective October 1, 2022, Section
	24.120(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The 19th, 54th, 74th, 170th, [and] 414th, and 474th
	district courts have concurrent jurisdiction in McLennan County.
	(b)  Effective October 1, 2022, Subchapter C, Chapter 24,
	Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60097 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 24.60097.  474TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MCLENNAN COUNTY).
	The 474th Judicial District is composed of McLennan County.
	(c)  The 474th Judicial District is created on October 1,
	2022.
	SECTION 1.09.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2023, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60098
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60098.  475TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (SMITH COUNTY). The
	475th Judicial District is composed of Smith County.
	(b)  The 475th Judicial District is created January 1, 2023.
	SECTION 1.10.  (a)  Effective September 1, 2022, Subchapter
	C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section
	24.60099 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60099.  476TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HIDALGO COUNTY).
	The 476th Judicial District is composed of Hidalgo County.
	(b)  The 476th Judicial District is created on September 1,
	2022.
	ARTICLE 2.  STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTY
	COURTS
	SECTION 2.01.  Section 25.00211(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Beginning on the first day of the state fiscal year, the
	state shall annually compensate each county that collects the
	additional fees under Section 51.704 in an amount equal to 60
	percent of the annual base salary the state pays to a district judge
	as set by the General Appropriations Act in accordance with Section
	659.012(a) [$40,000] for each statutory probate court judge in the
	county.
	SECTION 2.02.  Section 25.0172(p), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(p)  The county clerk shall keep a separate docket for each
	county court at law. The county clerk shall appoint a deputy clerk
	for each county court at law. [An appointment of a deputy clerk of
	County Court at Law No. 2 or 3 takes effect when it is confirmed in
	writing by the judge of the court to which the deputy clerk is
	assigned and the deputy clerk serves at the pleasure of the judge of
	the court to which he is assigned.] A deputy clerk must take the
	constitutional oath of office and may be required to furnish bond in
	an amount, conditioned and payable, as required by the county
	clerk. A deputy clerk must attend all sessions of the court to
	which the deputy clerk [he] is assigned. A deputy clerk acts in the
	name of the county clerk and may perform any official act or service
	required of the county clerk and shall perform any other service
	required by the judge of a county court at law. The deputy clerks
	may act for one another in performing services for the county courts
	at law, but a deputy is not entitled to receive additional
	compensation for acting for another deputy. If a vacancy occurs,
	the county clerk shall immediately appoint another deputy clerk as
	provided by this subsection.  [A deputy clerk of a county court at
	law is entitled to the same amount of compensation as received by
	the deputy clerks of the other county courts at law in Bexar County.
	The commissioners court shall pay the salary of a deputy clerk in
	equal monthly installments from county funds.]
	SECTION 2.03.  Section 25.0173(g), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(g)  The county clerk shall appoint a deputy clerk for each
	statutory probate court. [An appointment takes effect when it is
	confirmed in writing by the judge of the court to which the deputy
	clerk is assigned.] A deputy clerk serves at the pleasure of the
	judge of the court to which the deputy clerk is assigned. A deputy
	clerk must take the constitutional oath of office, and the county
	clerk may require the deputy clerk to furnish a bond in an amount,
	conditioned and payable, as required by law. A deputy clerk acts in
	the name of the county clerk and may perform any official act or
	service required of the county clerk and shall perform any other
	service required by the judge of a statutory probate court. A
	deputy clerk must attend all sessions of the court to which the
	deputy clerk [he] is assigned. [A deputy clerk is entitled to
	receive an annual salary set by the judge in an amount that does not
	exceed the amount paid the deputies of the county courts at law of
	Bexar County. The salary shall be paid in equal monthly
	installments as provided by law for the payment of salaries of
	deputy clerks.]
	SECTION 2.04.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2022, Sections
	25.0631(b) and (c), Government Code, are amended to read as
	follows:
	(b)  Denton County has the following statutory probate
	courts:
	(1)  [one statutory probate court, the] Probate Court
	of Denton County; and
	(2)  Probate Court Number 2 of Denton County.
	(c)  The statutory county courts of Denton County sit in the
	county seat or at another location in the county as assigned by the
	local administrative statutory county court judge. The statutory
	probate courts [court] of Denton County sit [sits] in the county
	seat and may conduct docket matters at other locations in the county
	as the statutory probate court judges consider [judge considers]
	necessary for the protection of wards or mental health respondents
	or as otherwise provided by law.
	(b)  Section 25.0632(i), Government Code, is amended to read
	as follows:
	(i)  A judge of a statutory probate court is subject to
	assignment as provided by Section 25.0022.  On request by the judge
	of a Denton County statutory county court, a judge of a statutory
	probate court may be assigned by the regional presiding judge to the
	requesting judge's court pursuant to Chapter 74. A statutory
	probate court judge assigned to a statutory county court by the
	regional presiding judge may hear any matter pending in the
	requesting judge's court.
	(c)  Section 25.0633(e), Government Code, is amended to read
	as follows:
	(e)  The County Court at Law No. 2 of Denton County has
	jurisdiction:
	(1)  over all civil causes and proceedings, original
	and appellate, prescribed by law for county courts; and
	(2)  regardless of the amount in controversy sought,
	over:
	(A)  eminent domain cases as provided by Section
	21.001, Property Code, for statutory county courts; and
	(B)  direct and inverse condemnation cases.
	(d)  The Probate Court Number 2 of Denton County is created
	on January 1, 2022.
	SECTION 2.05.  (a)  Effective October 1, 2022, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 25, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 25.1331
	and 25.1332 to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.1331.  KENDALL COUNTY. Kendall County has one
	statutory county court, the County Court at Law of Kendall County.
	Sec. 25.1332.  KENDALL COUNTY COURT AT LAW PROVISIONS. (a)
	In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and
	other law, a county court at law in Kendall County has:
	(1)  concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in
	state jail, third degree, and second degree felony cases on
	assignment from a district judge presiding in Kendall County and
	acceptance of the assignment by the judge of the county court at law
	to:
	(A)  conduct arraignments;
	(B)  conduct pretrial hearings;
	(C)  accept guilty pleas and conduct sentencing;
	(D)  conduct jury trials and nonjury trials;
	(E)  conduct probation revocation hearings;
	(F)  conduct post-trial proceedings; and
	(G)  conduct family law cases and proceedings; and
	(2)  jurisdiction in:
	(A)  Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases;
	(B)  probate proceedings;
	(C)  disputes ancillary to probate, eminent
	domain, condemnation, or landlord and tenant matters relating to
	the adjudication and determination of land titles and trusts,
	whether testamentary, inter vivos, constructive, resulting, or any
	other class or type of trust, regardless of the amount in
	controversy or the remedy sought;
	(D)  eminent domain; and
	(E)  appeals from the justice and municipal
	courts.
	(b)  A judge of a county court at law shall be paid a total
	annual salary set by the commissioners court in an amount that is
	not less than $1,000 less than the annual salary received by a
	district judge with equivalent years of service as a judge, as
	provided under Section 25.0005, to be paid out of the county
	treasury by the commissioners court.
	(c)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in matters of concurrent jurisdiction with the district court,
	and the county clerk serves as clerk of a county court at law in all
	other matters. Each clerk shall establish a separate docket for a
	county court at law.
	(d)  The official court reporter of a county court at law is
	entitled to receive the same compensation and to be paid in the same
	manner as the court reporters of the district court in Kendall
	County.
	(b)  The County Court at Law of Kendall County is created on
	October 1, 2022.
	SECTION 2.06.  (a) Section 25.1571, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.1571.  MCLENNAN COUNTY. McLennan County has the
	following statutory county courts:
	(1)  County Court at Law of McLennan County; [and]
	(2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of McLennan County; and
	(3)  County Court at Law No. 3 of McLennan County.
	(b)  Section 25.1572, Government Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (a), (d), and (i) and adding Subsections (b),
	(c), and (e) to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law and except as limited by Subsection (b), a
	county court at law in McLennan County has jurisdiction in third
	degree felony cases and jurisdiction to conduct arraignments,
	conduct pretrial hearings, accept guilty pleas, and conduct
	probation revocation hearings in felony cases.
	(b)  On request of a district judge presiding in McLennan
	County, the regional presiding judge may assign a judge of a county
	court at law in McLennan County to the requesting judge's court
	under Chapter 74. A county court at law judge assigned to a
	district court may hear any matter pending in the requesting
	judge's court.
	(c)  A county court at law does not have jurisdiction in:
	(1)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(2)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct; or
	(3)  contested elections.
	(d)  A judge of a county court at law shall be paid an annual
	base salary set by the commissioners court in an amount not less
	than $1,000 less than the annual base salary the state pays to a
	district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act in
	accordance with Section 659.012 with equivalent years of service as
	the judge [of not more than $20,000]. A county court at law judge's
	and a district judge's annual base salaries do not include
	contributions and supplements paid by the county [Each judge
	receives the same amount as salary. The salary shall be paid out of
	the county treasury by the commissioners court].
	(e)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in matters of concurrent jurisdiction with the district court.
	The county clerk serves as the clerk of a county court at law in all
	other matters. Each clerk shall establish a separate docket for a
	county court at law.
	(i)  The official court reporter of a county court at law is
	entitled to receive a salary set by the judge of a county court at
	law with the approval of the commissioners court [the same
	compensation and to be paid in the same manner as the court
	reporters of the district courts in McLennan County].
	(c)  The County Court at Law No. 3 of McLennan County is
	created on the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 2.07.  (a)  Section 25.1721, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.1721.  MONTGOMERY COUNTY. Montgomery County has the
	following statutory county courts:
	(1)  County Court at Law No. 1 of Montgomery County;
	(2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of Montgomery County;
	(3)  County Court at Law No. 3 of Montgomery County;
	(4)  County Court at Law No. 4 of Montgomery County;
	[and]
	(5)  County Court at Law No. 5 of Montgomery County;
	and
	(6)  County Court at Law No. 6 of Montgomery County.
	(b)  The County Court at Law No. 6 of Montgomery County is
	created on the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 2.08.  Sections 25.1972(a) and (b), Government Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, and except as limited by Subsection (b), a
	county court at law in Reeves County has:
	(1)  concurrent jurisdiction with the district court:
	(A)  in disputes ancillary to probate, eminent
	domain, condemnation, or landlord and tenant matters relating to
	the adjudication and determination of land titles and trusts,
	whether testamentary, inter vivos, constructive, resulting, or any
	other class or type of trust, regardless of the amount in
	controversy or the remedy sought;
	(B)  over civil forfeitures, including surety
	bond forfeitures without minimum or maximum limitation as to the
	amount in controversy or remedy sought;
	(C)  in all actions by or against a personal
	representative, in all actions involving an inter vivos trust, in
	all actions involving a charitable trust, and in all actions
	involving a testamentary trust, whether the matter is appertaining
	to or incident to an estate;
	(D)  in proceedings under Title 3, Family Code;
	and
	(E)  in family law cases and proceedings [any
	proceeding involving an order relating to a child in the possession
	or custody of the Department of Family and Protective Services or
	for whom the court has appointed a temporary or permanent managing
	conservator];
	(2)  jurisdiction in mental health matters, original or
	appellate, provided by law for constitutional county courts,
	statutory county courts, or district courts with mental health
	jurisdiction, including proceedings under:
	(A)  Chapter 462, Health and Safety Code; and
	(B)  Subtitles C and D, Title 7, Health and Safety
	Code;
	(3)  jurisdiction over the collection and management of
	estates of minors, persons with a mental illness or intellectual
	disability, and deceased persons; and
	(4)  jurisdiction in all cases assigned, transferred,
	or heard under Sections 74.054, 74.059, and 74.094.
	(b)  A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:
	(1)  felony cases, except as otherwise provided by law;
	(2)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct unless
	assigned under Sections 74.054 and 74.059; or
	(3)  contested elections[; or
	[(4)  except as provided by Subsections (a)(1)(D) and
	(E), family law cases].
	SECTION 2.09.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2023, Section
	25.2071(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  San Patricio County has the following [one] statutory
	county courts:
	(1)  [court,] the County Court at Law of San Patricio
	County; and
	(2)  the County Court at Law No. 2 of San Patricio
	County.
	(b)  Effective January 1, 2023, Section 25.2072, Government
	Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (d), and (m) and
	adding Subsections (g-1) and (g-2) to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in San Patricio County
	has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court except that a
	county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:
	(1)  felony criminal matters; and
	(2)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
	exceeds the maximum amount provided by Section 25.0003 [in matters
	involving the juvenile and child welfare law of this state].
	(d)  [The judge of a county court at law shall be paid an
	annual salary in an amount of not less than $43,000.] The judge of a
	county court at law is entitled to receive travel and necessary
	office expenses, including administrative and clerical assistance.
	(g-1)  The county clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law except in family law cases. In family law cases, including
	juvenile and child welfare cases, the district clerk serves as
	clerk of a county court at law. The district clerk shall establish
	a separate family law docket for each county court at law.
	(g-2)  The commissioners court shall provide the deputy
	clerks, bailiffs, and other personnel necessary to operate the
	county courts at law.
	(m)  The judge of the county court and the judges [judge] of
	the [a] county courts [court] at law may agree on a plan governing
	the filing, numbering, and docketing of cases within the concurrent
	jurisdiction of their courts and the assignment of those cases for
	trial. The plan may provide for the centralized institution and
	filing of all such cases with one court, clerk, or coordinator
	designated by the plan and for the systemized assignment of those
	cases to the courts participating in the plan, and the provisions of
	the plan for the centralized filing and assignment of cases shall
	control notwithstanding any other provisions of this section. If
	the judges of the county court and the county courts [court] at law
	are unable to agree on a filing, docketing, and assignment of cases
	plan, a board of judges composed of the district judges and the
	county court at law judges for San Patricio County [the presiding
	judge of the 36th Judicial District] shall design a plan for the
	[both] courts.
	(c)  The County Court at Law No. 2 of San Patricio County is
	created January 1, 2023.
	SECTION 2.10.  Effective January 1, 2023, Section
	25.2223(l), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(l)  The County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County and
	the County Criminal Court No. 6 of Tarrant County shall give
	preference to cases brought under Title 5, Penal Code, involving
	family violence as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code, and
	cases brought under Sections 25.07, 25.072, and 42.072, Penal Code.
	SECTION 2.11.  (a)  Effective October 1, 2022, Section
	25.2481, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.2481.  WILLIAMSON COUNTY. Williamson County has the
	following statutory county courts:
	(1)  County Court at Law No. 1 of Williamson County;
	(2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of Williamson County;
	(3)  County Court at Law No. 3 of Williamson County;
	[and]
	(4)  County Court at Law No. 4 of Williamson County;
	and
	(5)  County Court at Law No. 5 of Williamson County.
	(b)  The County Court at Law No. 5 of Williamson County is
	created on October 1, 2022.
	SECTION 2.12.  (a)  Sections 26.006(a) and (b), Government
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A county judge is entitled to an annual salary
	supplement from the state in an amount equal to 18 percent of the
	state base salary paid to a district judge as set by the General
	Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012(a) if at
	least 18 [40] percent of the:
	(1)  functions that the judge performs are judicial
	functions; or
	(2)  total hours that the judge works are in the
	performance of judicial functions.
	(b)  To receive a supplement under Subsection (a), a county
	judge must file with the comptroller's judiciary section an
	affidavit stating that at least 18 [40] percent of the:
	(1)  functions that the judge performs are judicial
	functions; or
	(2)  total hours that the judge works are in the
	performance of judicial functions.
	(b)  The changes in law made by this section take effect on
	the effective date of this Act and apply only to a salary payment
	for a pay period beginning on or after that date. A salary payment
	for a pay period beginning before the effective date of this Act is
	governed by the law in effect on the date the pay period began, and
	that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 3. JUSTICE AND MUNICIPAL COURTS
	SECTION 3.01.  Article 4.14(g), Code of Criminal Procedure,
	is amended to read as follows:
	(g)  A municipality may enter into an agreement with a
	contiguous municipality or a municipality with boundaries that are
	within one-half mile of the municipality seeking to enter into the
	agreement to establish concurrent jurisdiction of the municipal
	courts in the municipalities and provide original jurisdiction to a
	municipal court in which a case is brought as if the municipal court
	were located in the municipality in which the case arose, for:
	(1)  all cases in which either municipality has
	jurisdiction under Subsection (a) or (b); and
	(2)  cases that arise under Section 821.022, Health and
	Safety Code.
	SECTION 3.02.  Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Code of Criminal
	Procedure, is amended by adding Article 45.0241 to read as follows:
	Art. 45.0241.  ACCEPTANCE OF DEFENDANT'S PLEA. A justice or
	judge may not accept a plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere
	from a defendant in open court unless it appears to the justice or
	judge that the defendant is mentally competent and the plea is free
	and voluntary.
	SECTION 3.03.  Article 103.003, Code of Criminal Procedure,
	is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
	(a-1)  The clerk of a municipal court may collect money
	payable to the municipal court under this title.
	SECTION 3.04.  Article 103.0081, Code of Criminal Procedure,
	is amended to read as follows:
	Art. 103.0081.  UNCOLLECTIBLE FINES AND FEES. (a) Any
	officer authorized by this chapter to collect a fine, fee, or item
	of cost may request the trial court in which a criminal action or
	proceeding was held to make a finding that a fine, fee, or item of
	cost imposed in the action or proceeding is uncollectible if the
	officer believes:
	(1)  the defendant is deceased;
	(2)  the defendant is serving a sentence for
	imprisonment for life or life without parole; or
	(3)  the fine, fee, or item of cost has been unpaid for
	at least 15 years.
	(b)  On a finding by a court that any condition described by
	Subsections (a)(1)-(3) is true, the court may order the officer to
	designate the fine, fee, or item of cost as uncollectible in the fee
	record. The officer shall attach a copy of the court's order to the
	fee record.
	SECTION 3.05.  Section 29.003(i), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(i)  A municipality may enter into an agreement with a
	contiguous municipality or a municipality with boundaries that are
	within one-half mile of the municipality seeking to enter into the
	agreement to establish concurrent jurisdiction of the municipal
	courts in the municipalities and provide original jurisdiction to a
	municipal court in which a case is brought as if the municipal court
	were located in the municipality in which the case arose, for:
	(1)  all cases in which either municipality has
	jurisdiction under Subsection (a) or (b); and
	(2)  cases that arise under Section 821.022, Health and
	Safety Code, or Section 65.003(a), Family Code.
	SECTION 3.06.  Section 292.001(d), Local Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  A justice of the peace court may not be housed or
	conducted in a building located outside the court's precinct except
	as provided by Section 27.051(f) or 27.0515, Government Code, or
	unless the justice of the peace court is situated in the county
	courthouse in a county with a population of at least 305,000
	[275,000] persons and the county seat of which is located in the
	Llano Estacado region of this state [but no more than 285,000
	persons].
	ARTICLE 4. JUVENILE JUSTICE AND FAMILY COURTS
	SECTION 4.01.  Subchapter H, Chapter 6, Family Code, is
	amended by adding Section 6.712 to read as follows:
	Sec. 6.712.  DATE OF MARRIAGE REQUIREMENT IN FINAL DECREE.
	(a) In a suit for dissolution of a marriage in which the court
	grants a divorce, the court shall state the date of the marriage in
	the decree of divorce.
	(b)  This section does not apply to a suit for dissolution of
	a marriage described by Section 2.401(a)(2).
	SECTION 4.02.  Section 51.02, Family Code, is amended by
	adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as follows:
	(3-a)  "Dual status child" means a child who has been
	referred to the juvenile justice system and is:
	(A)  in the temporary or permanent managing
	conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective
	Services;
	(B)  the subject of a case for which family-based
	safety services have been offered or provided by the department;
	(C)  an alleged victim of abuse or neglect in an
	open child protective investigation; or
	(D)  a victim in a case in which, after an
	investigation, the department concluded there was reason to believe
	the child was abused or neglected.
	SECTION 4.03.  Section 51.04(h), Family Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(h)  A judge exercising jurisdiction over a child in a suit
	instituted under Subtitle E, Title 5, may refer any aspect of a suit
	involving a dual status [the] child that is instituted under this
	title to the appropriate associate judge appointed under Subchapter
	C, Chapter 201, serving in the county and exercising jurisdiction
	over the child under Subtitle E, Title 5, if the associate judge
	consents to the referral. The scope of an associate judge's
	authority over a suit referred under this subsection is subject to
	any limitations placed by the court judge in the order of referral.
	SECTION 4.04.  Section 51.0414(a), Family Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  The juvenile court may transfer a dual status child's
	case, including transcripts of records and documents for the case,
	to a district or statutory county court located in another county
	that is exercising jurisdiction over the child in a suit instituted
	under Subtitle E, Title 5. A case may only be transferred under this
	section with the consent of the judge of the court to which the case
	is being transferred.
	SECTION 4.05.  Sections 107.004(d) and (e), Family Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), an attorney ad
	litem appointed for a child in a proceeding under Chapter 262, [or]
	263, or 264 shall:
	(1)  meet before each court hearing with:
	(A)  the child, if the child is at least four years
	of age; or
	(B)  the individual with whom the child ordinarily
	resides, including the child's parent, conservator, guardian,
	caretaker, or custodian, if the child is younger than four years of
	age; and
	(2)  report to the court whether [if the child or
	individual is not present at the court hearing, file a written
	statement with the court indicating that] the attorney ad litem:
	(A)  complied with Subdivision (1); or
	(B)  requests that the court find good cause for
	noncompliance because compliance was not feasible or in the best
	interest of the child under Subsection (e).
	(e)  An attorney ad litem appointed for a child in a
	proceeding under Chapter 262, [or] 263, or 264 is not required to
	comply with Subsection (d) before a hearing if the court finds at
	that hearing that the attorney ad litem has shown good cause why the
	attorney ad litem's compliance with that subsection is not feasible
	or in the best interest of the child.  Additionally, a court may, on
	a showing of good cause, authorize an attorney ad litem to comply
	with Subsection (d) by conferring with the child or other
	individual, as appropriate, by telephone or video conference.
	SECTION 4.06.  The change in law made by Section 6.712,
	Family Code, as added by this article, applies only to a suit for
	dissolution of a marriage filed on or after the effective date of
	this Act. A suit for dissolution of a marriage filed before the
	effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
	date the suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect
	for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 5. MAGISTRATES AND MAGISTRATE COURTS
	SECTION 5.01.  Article 4.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Art. 4.01.  WHAT COURTS HAVE CRIMINAL JURISDICTION. The
	following courts have jurisdiction in criminal actions:
	1.  The Court of Criminal Appeals;
	2.  Courts of appeals;
	3.  The district courts;
	4.  The criminal district courts;
	5.  The magistrates appointed by the judges of the
	district courts of Bexar County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, or
	Travis County that give preference to criminal cases and the
	magistrates appointed by the judges of the criminal district courts
	of Dallas County or Tarrant County;
	6.  The county courts;
	7.  All county courts at law with criminal
	jurisdiction;
	8.  County criminal courts;
	9.  Justice courts;
	10.  Municipal courts;
	11.  The magistrates appointed by the judges of the
	district courts of Lubbock County; [and]
	12.  The magistrates appointed by the El Paso Council
	of Judges;
	13.  The magistrates appointed by the Collin County
	Commissioners Court;
	14.  The magistrates appointed by the Brazoria County
	Commissioners Court or the local administrative judge for Brazoria
	County; and
	15.  The magistrates appointed by the judges of the
	district courts of Tom Green County.
	SECTION 5.02.  Section 54.1502, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 54.1502.  JURISDICTION. A magistrate has concurrent
	criminal jurisdiction with:
	(1)  the judges of the justice of the peace courts of
	Burnet County; and
	(2)  a municipal court in Burnet County, if approved by
	a memorandum of understanding between the municipality and Burnet
	County.
	SECTION 5.03.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter PP to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER PP. BRAZORIA COUNTY CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATE COURT
	Sec. 54.2501.  CREATION. The Brazoria County Criminal Law
	Magistrate Court is a court with the jurisdiction provided by this
	subchapter.
	Sec. 54.2502.  APPOINTMENT. (a) On recommendation from the
	local administrative judge, the commissioners court of Brazoria
	County may appoint one or more full- or part-time judges to preside
	over the criminal law magistrate court for the term determined by
	the commissioners court.  The local administrative judge shall
	appoint one or more full- or part-time judges to preside over the
	criminal law magistrate court if the commissioners court is
	prohibited by law from appointing a judge.
	(b)  To be eligible for appointment as a judge of the
	criminal law magistrate court, a person must meet all the
	requirements and qualifications to serve as a district court judge.
	(c)  A judge of the criminal law magistrate court is entitled
	to the salary set by the commissioners court. The salary may not be
	less than the annual base salary paid to a district judge under
	Chapter 659.
	(d)  A judge appointed under this section serves at the
	pleasure of the commissioners court or the local administrative
	judge, as applicable.
	Sec. 54.2503.  JURISDICTION. (a) Except as provided by this
	subsection, the criminal law magistrate court has the criminal
	jurisdiction provided by the constitution and laws of this state
	for county courts at law.  The criminal law magistrate court does
	not have jurisdiction to:
	(1)  hear a trial of a misdemeanor offense, other than a
	Class C misdemeanor, on the merits if a jury trial is demanded; or
	(2)  hear a trial of a misdemeanor, other than a Class C
	misdemeanor, on the merits if a defendant pleads not guilty.
	(b)  The criminal law magistrate court has the jurisdiction
	provided by the constitution and laws of this state for
	magistrates. A judge of the criminal law magistrate court is a
	magistrate as that term is defined by Article 2.09, Code of Criminal
	Procedure.
	(c)  Except as provided by this subsection, the criminal law
	magistrate court has the criminal jurisdiction provided by the
	constitution and laws of this state for a district court.  The
	criminal law magistrate court does not have jurisdiction to:
	(1)  hear a trial of a felony offense on the merits if a
	jury trial is demanded;
	(2)  hear a trial of a felony offense on the merits if a
	defendant pleads not guilty;
	(3)  sentence in a felony case unless the judge in whose
	court the case is pending assigned the case to the criminal law
	magistrate court for a guilty plea and sentence; or
	(4)  hear any part of a capital murder case after
	indictment.
	(d)  A criminal law magistrate court may not issue writs of
	habeas corpus in felony cases but may hear and grant relief on a
	writ of habeas corpus issued by a district court and assigned by the
	district court to the criminal law magistrate court.
	(e)  A felony or misdemeanor indictment or information may
	not be filed in or transferred to the criminal law magistrate court.
	(f)  A judge of the criminal law magistrate court shall
	exercise jurisdiction granted by this subchapter over felony and
	misdemeanor indictments and informations only as judge presiding
	for the court in which the indictment or information is pending and
	under the limitations set out in the assignment order by the
	assigning court or as provided by local administrative rules.
	(g)  The criminal law magistrate court has concurrent
	criminal jurisdiction with the justice courts located in Brazoria
	County.
	Sec. 54.2504.  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 at law judges when acting in a Class A
	or Class B misdemeanor case; and
	(3)  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.
	(c)  A judge of the magistrate court may accept a plea of
	guilty or nolo contendere from a defendant charged with a
	misdemeanor or felony offense.
	Sec. 54.2505.  TRANSFER AND ASSIGNMENT OF CASES. (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 unindicted felony case;
	(2)  a Class A or Class B misdemeanor case if an
	information has not been filed; or
	(3)  a Class C misdemeanor case.
	(b)  A case may not be transferred from or to the magistrate
	docket of a district court judge, county court at law judge, or
	justice of the peace without the consent of the judge of the court
	to which it is transferred.
	(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d) or local
	administrative rules, the local administrative judge may assign a
	judge of the criminal law magistrate court 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 unindicted felony case;
	(2)  a Class A or Class B misdemeanor case if an
	information has not been filed; or
	(3)  a Class C misdemeanor case.
	(d)  A case may not be assigned to a district court judge,
	county court at law judge, or justice of the peace without the
	assigned judge's consent.
	(e)  This section applies only to the district courts, county
	courts at law, and justice courts in the county.
	Sec. 54.2506.  PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE REFERRED. A district
	judge, county court at law judge, or justice of the peace may refer
	to a judge of the criminal law magistrate court any criminal case or
	matter relating to a criminal case for any proceeding other than
	presiding over a criminal trial on the merits, whether or not the
	trial is before a jury.
	Sec. 54.2507.  OATH OF OFFICE. A judge of the criminal law
	magistrate court must take the constitutional oath of office
	prescribed for appointed officers.
	Sec. 54.2508.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A judge of the criminal
	law magistrate court has the same judicial immunity as a district
	judge.
	Sec. 54.2509.  CLERK. The clerk of a district court or
	county court at law that refers a proceeding to a magistrate under
	this subchapter shall perform the statutory duties necessary for
	the magistrate to perform the duties authorized by this subchapter.
	Sec. 54.2510.  SHERIFF. The county sheriff, either in
	person or by deputy, shall attend the criminal law magistrate court
	as required by the judge of that court.
	Sec. 54.2511.  WITNESSES. (a) A witness who is sworn and who
	appears before a magistrate is subject to the penalties for perjury
	and aggravated perjury provided by law.
	(b)  A referring court may fine or imprison a witness or
	other court participant for failure to appear after being summoned,
	refusal to answer questions, or other acts of direct contempt
	before a magistrate.
	SECTION 5.04.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter QQ to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER QQ.  CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATES IN TOM GREEN COUNTY
	Sec. 54.2601.  APPOINTMENT. (a)  The judges of the district
	courts of Tom Green County, with the consent and approval of the
	commissioners court of Tom Green County, shall jointly appoint the
	number of magistrates set by the commissioners court to perform the
	duties authorized by this subchapter.
	(b)  Each magistrate's appointment must be made with the
	approval of at least two-thirds of all the judges described in
	Subsection (a).
	(c)  If the number of magistrates is less than the number of
	district judges, each magistrate shall serve equally in the courts
	of those judges.
	Sec. 54.2602.  QUALIFICATIONS. To be eligible for
	appointment as a magistrate, a person must:
	(1)  be a resident of this state; and
	(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
	for at least four years.
	Sec. 54.2603.  COMPENSATION. (a)  A full-time magistrate is
	entitled to the salary determined by the commissioners court of Tom
	Green County.  The salary may not be less than an amount equal to the
	salary, supplements, and allowances paid to a justice of the peace
	of Tom Green County as set by the annual budget of Tom Green County.
	(b)  A magistrate's salary is paid from the county fund
	available for payment of officers' salaries.
	(c)  The salary of a part-time magistrate is equal to the
	per-hour salary of a full-time magistrate.  The per-hour salary is
	determined by dividing the annual salary by a 2,080 work-hour year.
	The judges of the courts trying criminal cases in Tom Green County
	shall approve the number of hours for which a part-time magistrate
	is to be paid.
	Sec. 54.2604.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A magistrate has the same
	judicial immunity as a district judge.
	Sec. 54.2605.  TERMINATION OF SERVICES. (a)  A magistrate
	who serves a single court serves at the will of the judge.
	(b)  The services of a magistrate who serves more than one
	court may be terminated by a majority vote of all the judges whom
	the magistrate serves.
	Sec. 54.2606.  PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (a)  A judge
	may refer to a magistrate any criminal case or matter relating to a
	criminal case for proceedings involving:
	(1)  a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest and
	sentencing before the court;
	(2)  a bond forfeiture, remittitur, and related
	proceedings;
	(3)  a pretrial motion;
	(4)  a writ of habeas corpus;
	(5)  an examining trial;
	(6)  an occupational driver's license;
	(7)  a petition for an order of expunction under
	Chapter 55, Code of Criminal Procedure;
	(8)  an asset forfeiture hearing as provided by Chapter
	59, Code of Criminal Procedure;
	(9)  a petition for an order of nondisclosure of
	criminal history record information or an order of nondisclosure of
	criminal history record information that does not require a
	petition provided by Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411;
	(10)  a motion to modify or revoke community
	supervision or to proceed with an adjudication of guilty;
	(11)  setting conditions, modifying, revoking, and
	surrendering of bonds, including surety bonds;
	(12)  specialty court proceedings;
	(13)  a waiver of extradition; and
	(14)  any other matter the judge considers necessary
	and proper.
	(b)  A judge may refer to a magistrate a civil case arising
	out of Chapter 59, Code of Criminal Procedure, for any purpose
	authorized by that chapter, including issuing orders, accepting
	agreed judgments, enforcing judgments, and presiding over a case on
	the merits if a party has not requested a jury trial.
	(c)  A magistrate may accept a plea of guilty from a
	defendant charged with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and
	felony offenses.
	(d)  A magistrate may select a jury. A magistrate may not
	preside over a criminal trial on the merits, whether or not the
	trial is before a jury.
	(e)  A magistrate may not hear a jury trial on the merits of a
	bond forfeiture.
	(f)  A judge of a designated juvenile court may refer to a
	magistrate any proceeding over which a juvenile court has exclusive
	original jurisdiction under Title 3, Family Code, including any
	matter ancillary to the proceeding.
	Sec. 54.2607.  ORDER OF REFERRAL. (a)  To refer one or more
	cases to a magistrate, a judge must issue an order of referral
	specifying the magistrate's duties.
	(b)  An order of referral may:
	(1)  limit the powers of the magistrate and direct the
	magistrate to report only on specific issues, perform particular
	acts, or only receive and report on evidence;
	(2)  set the time and place for the hearing;
	(3)  prescribe a closing date for the hearing;
	(4)  provide a date for filing the magistrate's
	findings;
	(5)  designate proceedings for more than one case over
	which the magistrate shall preside;
	(6)  direct the magistrate to call the court's docket;
	and
	(7)  provide the general powers and limitations of
	authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred.
	Sec. 54.2608.  POWERS. (a)  Except as limited by an order of
	referral, a magistrate to whom a case is referred may:
	(1)  conduct hearings;
	(2)  hear evidence;
	(3)  compel production of relevant evidence;
	(4)  rule on admissibility of evidence;
	(5)  issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
	(6)  examine witnesses;
	(7)  swear witnesses for hearings;
	(8)  make findings of fact on evidence;
	(9)  formulate conclusions of law;
	(10)  rule on a pretrial motion;
	(11)  recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be
	made in a case;
	(12)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
	(13)  accept a plea of guilty from a defendant charged
	with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses;
	(14)  select a jury;
	(15)  accept a negotiated plea on probation revocation;
	(16)  conduct a contested probation revocation
	hearing;
	(17)  sign a dismissal in a misdemeanor case;
	(18)  in any case referred under Section 54.656(a)(1),
	accept a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest and:
	(A)  enter a finding of guilty and impose or
	suspend the sentence; or
	(B)  defer adjudication of guilty; and
	(19)  perform any act and take any measure necessary
	and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by
	the order of referral.
	(b)  A magistrate may sign a motion to dismiss submitted by
	an attorney representing the state on cases referred to the
	magistrate, or on dockets called by the magistrate, and may
	consider adjudicated cases at sentencing under Section 12.45, Penal
	Code.
	(c)  A magistrate has all the powers of a magistrate under
	the laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.
	Sec. 54.2609.  COURT REPORTER. At the request of a party in
	a felony case, the court shall provide a court reporter to record
	the proceedings before the magistrate.
	Sec. 54.2610.  WITNESS. (a)  A witness who appears before a
	magistrate and is sworn is subject to the penalties for perjury
	provided by law.
	(b)  A referring court may issue attachment against and may
	fine or imprison a witness whose failure to appear after being
	summoned or whose refusal to answer questions has been certified to
	the court.
	Sec. 54.2611.  PAPERS TRANSMITTED TO JUDGE. At the
	conclusion of the proceedings, a magistrate shall transmit to the
	referring court any papers relating to the case, including the
	magistrate's findings, conclusions, orders, recommendations, or
	other action taken.
	Sec. 54.2612.  JUDICIAL ACTION. (a)  A referring court may
	modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit for further
	information any action taken by the magistrate.
	(b)  If the court does not modify, correct, reject, reverse,
	or recommit an action of the magistrate, the action becomes the
	decree of the court.
	(c)  At the conclusion of each term during which the services
	of a magistrate are used, the referring court shall enter a decree
	on the minutes adopting the actions of the magistrate of which the
	court approves.
	Sec. 54.2613.  MAGISTRATE. (a) If a magistrate appointed
	under this subchapter is absent or unable to serve, the judge
	referring the case may appoint another magistrate to serve for the
	absent magistrate.
	(b)  A magistrate serving for another magistrate under this
	section has the powers and shall perform the duties of the
	magistrate for whom the magistrate is serving.
	Sec. 54.2614.  CLERK. The clerk of a district court that
	refers a proceeding to a magistrate under this subchapter shall
	perform the statutory duties necessary for the magistrate to
	perform the duties authorized by this subchapter.
	SECTION 5.05.  Section 54.653(b), Government Code, is
	repealed.
	ARTICLE 6.  ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM
	SECTION 6.01.  Section 72.031(a), Government Code, is
	amended by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows:
	(5)  "State court document database" means a database
	accessible by the public and established or authorized by the
	supreme court for storing documents filed with a court in this
	state.
	SECTION 6.02.  Section 72.031(b), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The office as authorized by supreme court rule or order
	may:
	(1)  implement an electronic filing system for use in
	the courts of this state;
	(2)  allow public access to view information or
	documents in the state court document database; and
	(3)  charge a reasonable fee for additional optional
	features in the state court document database.
	ARTICLE 7.  TRANSFER OF CASES
	SECTION 7.01.  Section 155.207, Family Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 155.207.  TRANSFER OF COURT FILES. (a)  Not later than
	the 10th working day after the date an order of transfer is signed,
	the clerk of the court transferring a proceeding shall send, using
	the electronic filing system established under Section 72.031,
	Government Code, to the proper court in the county to which transfer
	is being made:
	(1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
	documents [the pleadings in the pending proceeding and any other
	document specifically requested by a party];
	(2)  [certified copies of all entries in the minutes;
	[(3)]  a [certified] copy of each final order;
	(3)  [and
	[(4)]  a [certified] copy of the order of transfer
	signed by the transferring court;
	(4)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
	transferring court;
	(5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
	transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
	(6)  a bill of any costs that have accrued in the
	transferring court.
	(a-1)  The clerk of the transferring court shall use the
	standardized transfer certificate and index of transferred
	documents form created by the Office of Court Administration of the
	Texas Judicial System under Section 72.037, Government Code, when
	transferring a proceeding under this section.
	(b)  The clerk of the transferring court shall keep a copy of
	[the] transferred pleadings [and other requested documents.  If the
	transferring court retains jurisdiction of another child who was
	the subject of the suit, the clerk shall send a copy of the
	pleadings and other requested documents to the court to which the
	transfer is made and shall keep the original pleadings and other
	requested documents].
	(c)  The [On receipt of the pleadings, documents, and orders
	from the transferring court, the] clerk of the transferee court
	shall:
	(1)  accept documents transferred under Subsection
	(a);
	(2)  docket the suit; and
	(3)  [shall] notify, using the electronic filing system
	established under Section 72.031, Government Code [the judge of the
	transferee court], all parties, the clerk of the transferring
	court, and, if appropriate, the transferring court's local registry
	that the suit has been docketed.
	(c-1)  The clerk of the transferee court shall physically or
	electronically mark or stamp the transfer certificate and index of
	transferred documents to evidence the date and time of acceptance
	under Subsection (c), but may not physically or electronically mark
	or stamp any other document transferred under Subsection (a).
	(d)  The clerk of the transferring court shall send a
	certified copy of the order directing payments to the transferee
	court:
	(1)  [,] to any party [or employer] affected by the
	[that] order, and, if appropriate, to the local registry of the
	transferee court using the electronic filing system established
	under Section 72.031, Government Code; and
	(2)  to an employer affected by the order
	electronically or by first class mail.
	(e)  The clerks of both the transferee and transferring
	courts may each produce under Chapter 51, Government Code,
	certified or uncertified copies of documents filed in a case
	transferred under this section, but shall also include a copy of the
	transfer certificate and index of transferred documents with each
	document produced.
	(f)  Sections 80.001 and 80.002, Government Code, do not
	apply to the transfer of documents under this section.
	SECTION 7.02.  Section 51.3071, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.3071.  TRANSFER OF CASES.  (a) If a case is
	transferred from a district court to a county court, the clerk of
	the district court shall [may] send to the county clerk using the
	electronic filing system established under Section 72.031 [in
	electronic or paper form]:
	(1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
	documents [certified transcript of the proceedings held in the
	district court];
	(2)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
	transferring [district] court; [and]
	(3)  a copy of the order of transfer signed by the
	transferring court;
	(4)  a copy of each final order;
	(5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
	transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
	(6)  a bill of any [the] costs that have accrued in the
	transferring [district] court.
	(b)  The clerk of the transferring court shall use the
	standardized transfer certificate and index of transferred
	documents form created by the Office of Court Administration of the
	Texas Judicial System under Section 72.037 when transferring a case
	under this section.
	(c)  The clerk of the transferee court shall accept documents
	transferred under Subsection (a) and docket the case.
	(d)  The clerk of the transferee court shall physically or
	electronically mark or stamp the transfer certificate and index of
	transferred documents to evidence the date and time of acceptance
	under Subsection (c), but may not physically or electronically mark
	or stamp any other document transferred under Subsection (a).
	(e)  Sections 80.001 and 80.002 do not apply to the transfer
	of documents under this section.
	SECTION 7.03.  Section 51.403, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.403.  TRANSFER OF CASES. (a)  If a case is
	transferred from a county court to a district court, the clerk of
	the county court shall send to the district clerk using the
	electronic filing system established under Section 72.031 [in
	electronic or paper form]:
	(1)  a transfer certificate and index of transferred
	documents [certified transcript of the proceedings held in the
	county court];
	(2)  a copy of the original papers filed in the
	transferring [county] court; [and]
	(3)  a copy of the order of transfer signed by the
	transferring court;
	(4)  a copy of each final order;
	(5)  a copy of the transfer certificate and index of
	transferred documents from each previous transfer; and
	(6)  a bill of any [the] costs that have accrued in the
	transferring [county] court.
	(a-1)  The clerk of the transferring court shall use the
	standardized transfer certificate and index of transferred
	documents form created by the Office of Court Administration of the
	Texas Judicial System under Section 72.037 when transferring a case
	under this section.
	(a-2)  The clerk of the transferee court shall accept
	documents transferred under Subsection (a) and docket the case.
	(a-3)  The clerk of the transferee court shall physically or
	electronically mark or stamp the transfer certificate and index of
	transferred documents to evidence the date and time of acceptance
	under Subsection (a-2), but may not physically or electronically
	mark or stamp any other document transferred under Subsection (a).
	(b)  If civil or criminal jurisdiction of a county court is
	transferred to a district court, the clerk of the county court shall
	send using the electronic filing system established under Section
	72.031 a certified copy of the judgments rendered in the county
	court that remain unsatisfied[, in electronic or paper form,] to
	the district clerks of the appropriate counties.
	(c)  Sections 80.001 and 80.002 do not apply to the transfer
	of documents under this section.
	SECTION 7.04.  Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 72.037 to read as follows:
	Sec. 72.037.  TRANSFER CERTIFICATE AND INDEX OF TRANSFERRED
	DOCUMENTS FORM. (a) The office shall develop and make available a
	standardized transfer certificate and an index of transferred
	documents form to be used for the transfer of cases and proceedings
	under Section 155.207, Family Code, and Sections 51.3071 and 51.403
	of this code.
	(b)  In developing a form under this section, the office
	shall consult with representatives of county and district clerks.
	SECTION 7.05.  As soon as practicable after the effective
	date of this Act, the Office of Court Administration of the Texas
	Judicial System shall adopt rules and develop and make available
	all forms and materials required by Section 72.037, Government
	Code, as added by this Act.
	ARTICLE 8.  HABEAS CORPUS
	SECTION 8.01.  Section 3(b), Article 11.07, Code of Criminal
	Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  An application for writ of habeas corpus filed after
	final conviction in a felony case, other than a case in which the
	death penalty is imposed, must be filed with the clerk of the court
	in which the conviction being challenged was obtained, and the
	clerk shall assign the application to that court. When the
	application is received by that court, a writ of habeas corpus,
	returnable to the Court of Criminal Appeals, shall issue by
	operation of law. The clerk of that court shall make appropriate
	notation thereof, assign to the case a file number (ancillary to
	that of the conviction being challenged), and forward a copy of the
	application by certified mail, return receipt requested, by secure
	electronic mail, or by personal service to the attorney
	representing the state in that court, who shall answer the
	application not later than the 30th [15th] day after the date the
	copy of the application is received. Matters alleged in the
	application not admitted by the state are deemed denied.
	SECTION 8.02.  Section 5(a), Article 11.072, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Immediately on filing an application, the applicant
	shall serve a copy of the application on the attorney representing
	the state[,] by:
	(1)  [either] certified mail, return receipt
	requested;
	(2)  [, or] personal service;
	(3)  electronic service through the electronic filing
	manager authorized by Rule 21, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure; or
	(4)  a secure electronic transmission to the attorney's
	e-mail address filed with the electronic filing system as required
	under Section 80.003, Government Code.
	SECTION 8.03.  Section 3(b), Article 11.07, Code of Criminal
	Procedure, as amended by this Act, applies only to an application
	for a writ of habeas corpus filed on or after the effective date of
	this Act. An application filed before the effective date of this
	Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the application was
	filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 8.04.  Section 5(a), Article 11.072, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, as amended by this Act, applies only to an
	application for a writ of habeas corpus filed on or after the
	effective date of this Act.  An application filed before the
	effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the
	application was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for
	that purpose.
	ARTICLE 9. PUBLICATION OF CITATION FOR RECEIVERSHIP
	SECTION 9.01.  Section 64.101(c), Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  Except as provided by Section 17.032, the [The] citation
	shall be published on the public information Internet website
	maintained as required by Section 72.034, Government Code, as added
	by Chapter 606 (S.B. 891), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular
	Session, 2019, and in a newspaper of general circulation:
	(1)  once in the county in which the missing person
	resides; and
	(2)  once in each county in which property of the
	missing person's estate is located.
	SECTION 9.02.  Section 51.103(b), Estates Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  Proof of service consists of:
	(1)  if the service is made by a sheriff or constable,
	the return of service;
	(2)  if the service is made by a private person, the
	person's affidavit;
	(3)  if the service is made by mail:
	(A)  the certificate of the county clerk making
	the service, or the affidavit of the personal representative or
	other person making the service, stating that the citation or
	notice was mailed and the date of the mailing; and
	(B)  the return receipt attached to the
	certificate or affidavit, as applicable, if the mailing was by
	registered or certified mail and a receipt has been returned; and
	(4)  if the service is made by publication:
	(A)  a statement [an affidavit]:
	(i)  made by the Office of Court
	Administration of the Texas Judicial System or an employee of the
	office;
	(ii)  that contains or to which is attached a
	copy of the published citation or notice; and
	(iii)  that states the date of publication
	on the public information Internet website maintained as required
	by Section 72.034, Government Code, as added by Chapter 606 (S.B.
	891), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019; and
	(B)  an affidavit:
	(i)  made by the publisher of the newspaper
	in which the citation or notice was published or an employee of the
	publisher;
	(ii)  that contains or to which is attached a
	copy of the published citation or notice; and
	(iii)  that states the date of publication
	printed on the newspaper in which the citation or notice was
	published.
	SECTION 9.03.  Section 1051.153(b), Estates Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(b)  Proof of service consists of:
	(1)  if the service is made by a sheriff or constable,
	the return of service;
	(2)  if the service is made by a private person, the
	person's affidavit;
	(3)  if the service is made by mail:
	(A)  the certificate of the county clerk making
	the service, or the affidavit of the guardian or other person making
	the service that states that the citation or notice was mailed and
	the date of the mailing; and
	(B)  the return receipt attached to the
	certificate, if the mailing was by registered or certified mail and
	a receipt has been returned; and
	(4)  if the service is made by publication:
	(A)  a statement [an affidavit] that:
	(i)  is made by the Office of Court
	Administration of the Texas Judicial System or an employee of the
	office;
	(ii)  contains or to which is attached a copy
	of the published citation or notice; and
	(iii)  states the date of publication on the
	public information Internet website maintained as required by
	Section 72.034, Government Code, as added by Chapter 606 (S.B.
	891), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019; and
	(B)  an affidavit that:
	(i)  is made by the publisher of the
	newspaper in which the citation or notice was published or an
	employee of the publisher;
	(ii)  contains or to which is attached a copy
	of the published citation or notice; and
	(iii)  states the date of publication
	printed on the newspaper in which the citation or notice was
	published.
	ARTICLE 10.  EVIDENCE
	SECTION 10.01.  Section 2, Article 38.01, Code of Criminal
	Procedure, is amended by adding Subdivision (4-a) to read as
	follows:
	(4-a)  "Forensic examination or test not subject to
	accreditation" means an examination or test described by Article
	38.35(a)(4)(A), (B), (C), or (D) that is exempt from accreditation.
	SECTION 10.02.  Article 38.01, Code of Criminal Procedure,
	is amended by adding Section 3-b to read as follows:
	Sec. 3-b.  CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. (a)  The
	commission shall adopt a code of professional responsibility to
	regulate the conduct of persons, laboratories, facilities, and
	other entities regulated under this article.
	(b)  The commission shall publish the code of professional
	responsibility adopted under Subsection (a).
	(c)  The commission shall adopt rules establishing sanctions
	for code violations.
	(d)  The commission shall update the code of professional
	responsibility as necessary to reflect changes in science,
	technology, or other factors affecting the persons, laboratories,
	facilities, and other entities regulated under this article.
	SECTION 10.03.  Sections 4(a), (a-1), (b-1), and (c),
	Article 38.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as
	follows:
	(a)  The commission shall:
	(1)  develop and implement a reporting system through
	which a crime laboratory may report professional negligence or
	professional misconduct;
	(2)  require a crime laboratory that conducts forensic
	analyses to report professional negligence or professional
	misconduct to the commission; and
	(3)  investigate, in a timely manner, any allegation of
	professional negligence or professional misconduct that would
	substantially affect the integrity of:
	(A)  the results of a forensic analysis conducted
	by a crime laboratory;
	(B)  an examination or test that is conducted by a
	crime laboratory and that is a forensic examination or test not
	subject to accreditation; or
	(C)  testimony related to an analysis,
	examination, or test described by Paragraph (A) or (B).
	(a-1)  The commission may initiate [for educational
	purposes] an investigation of a forensic analysis or a forensic
	examination or test not subject to accreditation, without receiving
	a complaint[,] submitted through the reporting system implemented
	under Subsection (a)(1), [that contains an allegation of
	professional negligence or professional misconduct involving the
	forensic analysis conducted] if the commission determines by a
	majority vote of a quorum of the members of the commission that an
	investigation of the [forensic] analysis, examination, or test
	would advance the integrity and reliability of forensic science in
	this state.
	(b-1)  If the commission conducts an investigation under
	Subsection (a)(3) of a crime laboratory that is not accredited
	under this article or the investigation involves a forensic
	examination or test not subject to accreditation [is conducted
	pursuant to an allegation involving a forensic method or
	methodology that is not an accredited field of forensic science],
	the investigation may include the preparation of a written report
	that contains:
	(1)  observations of the commission regarding the
	integrity and reliability of the applicable [forensic] analysis,
	examination, or test conducted;
	(2)  best practices identified by the commission during
	the course of the investigation; or
	(3)  other recommendations that are relevant, as
	determined by the commission.
	(c)  The commission by contract may delegate the duties
	described by Subsections (a)(1) and (3) and Sections 4-d(b)(1),
	(b-1), and (d) to any person the commission determines to be
	qualified to assume those duties.
	SECTION 10.04.  Section 4-a(c), Article 38.01, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  The commission by rule may establish voluntary
	licensing programs for forensic examinations or tests [disciplines
	that are] not subject to accreditation [under this article].
	SECTION 10.05.  Section 4-d(b-1), Article 38.01, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
	(b-1)  As part of the accreditation process established and
	implemented under Subsection (b), the commission may:
	(1)  establish minimum standards that relate to the
	timely production of a forensic analysis to the agency requesting
	the analysis and that are consistent with this article and
	applicable laws;
	(2)  validate or approve specific forensic methods or
	methodologies; and
	(3)  establish procedures, policies, standards, and
	practices to improve the quality of forensic analyses conducted in
	this state.
	SECTION 10.06.  Article 38.01, Code of Criminal Procedure,
	is amended by adding Section 14 to read as follows:
	Sec. 14.  FUNDING FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION. The
	commission may use appropriated funds for the training and
	education of forensic analysts.
	SECTION 10.07.  Section 2254.002(2), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(2)  "Professional services" means services:
	(A)  within the scope of the practice, as defined
	by state law, of:
	(i)  accounting;
	(ii)  architecture;
	(iii)  landscape architecture;
	(iv)  land surveying;
	(v)  medicine;
	(vi)  optometry;
	(vii)  professional engineering;
	(viii)  real estate appraising; [or]
	(ix)  professional nursing; or
	(x)  forensic science;
	(B)  provided in connection with the professional
	employment or practice of a person who is licensed or registered as:
	(i)  a certified public accountant;
	(ii)  an architect;
	(iii)  a landscape architect;
	(iv)  a land surveyor;
	(v)  a physician, including a surgeon;
	(vi)  an optometrist;
	(vii)  a professional engineer;
	(viii)  a state certified or state licensed
	real estate appraiser; [or]
	(ix)  a registered nurse; or
	(x)  a forensic analyst or forensic science
	expert; or
	(C)  provided by a person lawfully engaged in
	interior design, regardless of whether the person is registered as
	an interior designer under Chapter 1053, Occupations Code.
	ARTICLE 11.  JURY SERVICE
	SECTION 11.01.  Sections 61.003(a) and (c), Government Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Each person who reports for jury service shall be
	personally provided a form letter that when signed by the person
	directs the county treasurer to donate all, or a specific amount
	designated by the person, of the person's daily reimbursement under
	this chapter to:
	(1)  the compensation to victims of crime fund
	established under Subchapter J, Chapter 56B, Code of Criminal
	Procedure;
	(2)  the child welfare, child protective services, or
	child services board of the county appointed under Section 264.005,
	Family Code, that serves abused and neglected children;
	(3)  any program selected by the commissioners court
	that is operated by a public or private nonprofit organization and
	that provides shelter and services to victims of family violence;
	(4)  any other program approved by the commissioners
	court of the county, including a program established under Article
	56A.205, Code of Criminal Procedure, that offers psychological
	counseling in criminal cases involving graphic evidence or
	testimony; [or]
	(5)  a veterans treatment court program established by
	the commissioners court as provided by Chapter 124; or
	(6)  a veterans county service office established by
	the commissioners court as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 434.
	(c)  The county treasurer shall:
	(1)  send all donations made under Subsection (a)(1) to
	the comptroller, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the
	attorney general, for deposit to the credit of the compensation to
	victims of crime fund;
	(2)  deposit donations made to the county child welfare
	board under Subsection (a)(2) in a fund established by the county to
	be used by the child welfare board in a manner authorized by the
	commissioners court of the county; and
	(3)  send all donations made under Subsection (a)(3),
	[or] (a)(4), or (a)(6) directly to the program or office, as
	applicable, specified on the form letter signed by the person who
	reported for jury service.
	SECTION 11.02.  Section 62.202(b), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The district judge may draw a warrant on the jury fund or
	other appropriate fund of the county in which the civil case is
	tried to cover the cost of buying and transporting the meals to the
	jury room. The judge may spend a reasonable amount [Not more than
	$3] per meal [may be spent] for a juror serving on a jury in a civil
	case.
	SECTION 11.03.  Section 434.032, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c)  The commissioners court of a county that maintains an
	office:
	(1)  may not consider a juror's donation to the office
	of the juror's daily reimbursement under Section 61.003 for
	purposes of determining the county's budget for the office; and
	(2)  may use donations described by Subdivision (1)
	only to supplement, rather than supplant, amounts budgeted by the
	county for the office.
	ARTICLE 12.  SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAMS
	SECTION 12.01.  Chapter 121, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Sections 121.003 and 121.004 to read as follows:
	Sec. 121.003.  APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDING JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE
	FOR REGIONAL SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAM. A judge or magistrate of a
	district court or statutory county court who is authorized by law to
	hear criminal cases may be appointed to preside over a regional
	specialty court program recognized under this subtitle only if:
	(1)  the local administrative district and statutory
	county court judges of each county participating in the program
	approve the appointment by majority vote or another approval method
	selected by the judges; and
	(2)  the presiding judges of each of the administrative
	judicial regions in which the participating counties are located
	sign an order granting the appointment.
	Sec. 121.004.  JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY OF JUDGE OR
	MAGISTRATE IN REGIONAL SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAM. (a) A judge or
	magistrate appointed to preside over a regional specialty court
	program may hear any misdemeanor or felony case properly
	transferred to the program by an originating trial court
	participating in the program, regardless of whether the originating
	trial court and specialty court program are in the same county. The
	appointed judge or magistrate may exercise only the authority
	granted under this subtitle.
	(b)  The judge or magistrate of a regional specialty court
	program may for a case properly transferred to the program:
	(1)  enter orders, judgments, and decrees for the case;
	(2)  sign orders of detention, order community service,
	or impose other reasonable and necessary sanctions;
	(3)  send recommendations for dismissal and expunction
	to the originating trial court for a defendant who successfully
	completes the program; and
	(4)  return the case and documentation required by this
	subtitle to the originating trial court for final disposition on a
	defendant's successful completion of or removal from the program.
	(c)  A visiting judge assigned to preside over a regional
	specialty court program has the same authority as the judge or
	magistrate appointed to preside over the program.
	SECTION 12.02.  Section 124.003(b), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A veterans treatment court program established under
	this chapter shall make, establish, and publish local procedures to
	ensure maximum participation of eligible defendants in the program
	[county or counties in which those defendants reside].
	SECTION 12.03.  Sections 124.006(a) and (d), Government
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A veterans treatment court program that accepts
	placement of a defendant may transfer responsibility for
	supervising the defendant's participation in the program to another
	veterans treatment court program that is located in the county
	where the defendant works or resides or in a county adjacent to the
	county where the defendant works or resides. The defendant's
	supervision may be transferred under this section only with the
	consent of both veterans treatment court programs and the
	defendant.
	(d)  If a defendant is charged with an offense in a county
	that does not operate a veterans treatment court program, the court
	in which the criminal case is pending may place the defendant in a
	veterans treatment court program located in the county where the
	defendant works or resides or in a county adjacent to the county
	where the defendant works or resides, provided that a program is
	operated in that county and the defendant agrees to the placement.
	A defendant placed in a veterans treatment court program in
	accordance with this subsection must agree to abide by all rules,
	requirements, and instructions of the program.
	SECTION 12.04.  (a) Section 121.003, Government Code, as
	added by this Act, applies only to the appointment of a judge or
	magistrate to preside over a regional specialty court program that
	occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.
	(b)  Section 121.004, Government Code, as added by this Act,
	applies to a case pending in a regional specialty court program on
	or after the effective date of this Act.
	ARTICLE 13.  PROTECTIVE ORDERS
	SECTION 13.01.  Section 72.151(3), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(3)  "Protective order" means:
	(A)  an order issued by a court in this state under
	Chapter 83 or 85, Family Code, to prevent family violence, as
	defined by Section 71.004, Family Code;
	(B)  an order issued by a court in this state under
	Subchapter A, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal Procedure, to prevent
	sexual assault or abuse, stalking, trafficking, or other harm to
	the applicant; or
	(C)  [.  The term includes] a magistrate's order
	for emergency protection issued under Article 17.292, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, with respect to a person who is arrested for an
	offense involving family violence.
	SECTION 13.02.  Section 72.152, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 72.152.  APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only
	to:
	(1)  an application for a protective order filed under:
	(A)  Chapter 82, Family Code;
	(B)  Subchapter A, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal
	Procedure; or
	(C) [(B)]  Article 17.292, Code of Criminal
	Procedure, with respect to a person who is arrested for an offense
	involving family violence; and
	(2)  a protective order issued under:
	(A)  Chapter 83 or 85, Family Code;
	(B)  Subchapter A, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal
	Procedure; or
	(C) [(B)]  Article 17.292, Code of Criminal
	Procedure, with respect to a person who is arrested for an offense
	involving family violence.
	SECTION 13.03.  Sections 72.154(b) and (d), Government Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  Publicly accessible information regarding each
	protective order must consist of the following:
	(1)  the court that issued the protective order;
	(2)  the case number;
	(3)  the full name, county of residence, birth year,
	and race or ethnicity of the person who is the subject of the
	protective order;
	(4)  the dates the protective order was issued and
	served; and
	(5)  [the date the protective order was vacated, if
	applicable; and
	[(6)]  the date the protective order expired or will
	expire, as applicable.
	(d)  The office may not allow a member of the public to access
	through the registry any information related to:
	(1)  a protective order issued under Article 7B.002 or
	17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure, or Chapter 83, Family Code; or
	(2)  a protective order that was vacated.
	SECTION 13.04.  Section 72.155(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The registry must include a copy of each application for
	a protective order filed in this state and a copy of each protective
	order issued in this state, including an [a vacated or] expired
	order, or a vacated order other than an order that was vacated as
	the result of an appeal or bill of review from a district or county
	court.  Only an authorized user, the attorney general, a district
	attorney, a criminal district attorney, a county attorney, a
	municipal attorney, or a peace officer may access that information
	under the registry.
	SECTION 13.05.  Section 72.157, Government Code, is amended
	by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
	follows:
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), for [For] a
	protective order that is vacated or that has expired, the clerk of
	the applicable court shall modify the record of the order in the
	registry to reflect the order's status as vacated or expired.  The
	clerk shall ensure that a record of a vacated order is not
	accessible by the public.
	(b-1)  For a protective order that is vacated as the result
	of an appeal or bill of review from a district or county court, the
	clerk of the applicable court shall notify the office not later than
	the end of the next business day after the date the protective order
	was vacated.  The office shall remove the record of the order from
	the registry not later than the third business day after the date
	the notice from the clerk was received.
	SECTION 13.06.  Section 72.158(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The office shall ensure that the public may access
	information about protective orders, other than information about
	vacated orders or orders under Article 7B.002 or 17.292, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, or Chapter 83, Family Code, through the
	registry, only if:
	(1)  a protected person requests that the office grant
	the public the ability to access the information described by
	Section 72.154(b) for the order protecting the person; and
	(2)  the office approves the request.
	SECTION 13.07.  Section 72.152, Government Code, as amended
	by this Act, applies only to an application for a protective order
	filed or a protective order issued on or after the effective date of
	this Act.
	SECTION 13.08.  As soon as practicable after the effective
	date of this Act, the Office of Court Administration of the Texas
	Judicial System shall:
	(1)  remove the record of any protective orders that
	have been vacated as the result of an appeal or bill of review from a
	district or county court from the protective order registry
	established under Subchapter F, Chapter 72, Government Code, as
	amended by this Act; and
	(2)  ensure that the records of vacated orders, other
	than orders described by Subdivision (1) of this section that are
	removed from the registry, are not accessible by the public.
	ARTICLE 14.  DISTRICT AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS
	SECTION 14.01.  Section 43.137, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
	(c)  In addition to exercising the duties and authority
	conferred on district attorneys by general law, the district
	attorney represents the state in the district and inferior courts
	in Ector County in all criminal cases, juvenile matters under Title
	3, Family Code, and matters involving children's protective
	services.
	(d)  The district attorney has no power, duty, or privilege
	in any civil matter, other than civil asset forfeiture and civil
	bond forfeiture matters.
	SECTION 14.02.  Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Government Code,
	is amended by adding Section 45.168 to read as follows:
	Sec. 45.168.  ECTOR COUNTY. (a) It is the primary duty of
	the county attorney in Ector County to represent the state, Ector
	County, and the officials of the county in all civil matters, other
	than asset forfeiture and bond forfeiture matters for which the
	district attorney is responsible, pending before the courts of
	Ector County and any other court in which the state, Ector County,
	or the county officials have matters pending.
	(b)  The county attorney has no power, duty, or privilege in
	Ector County relating to criminal matters, juvenile matters under
	Title 3, Family Code, or matters involving children's protective
	services.
	SECTION 14.03.  Section 43.137, Government Code, as amended
	by this Act, and Section 45.168, Government Code, as added by this
	Act, apply only to a proceeding commenced on or after the effective
	date of this Act. A proceeding commenced before the effective date
	of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the
	proceeding was commenced, and the former law is continued in effect
	for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 15. APPELLATE COURTS
	SECTION 15.01.  Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code,
	is amended by adding Section 22.0042 to read as follows:
	Sec. 22.0042.  RULES REGARDING EXEMPTIONS FROM SEIZURE OF
	PROPERTY; FORM. (a) The supreme court shall adopt rules that:
	(1)  establish a simple and expedited procedure for a
	judgment debtor to assert an exemption to the seizure of personal
	property by a judgment creditor or a receiver appointed under
	Section 31.002, Civil Practice and Remedies Code;
	(2)  require a court to stay a proceeding, for a
	reasonable period, to allow for the assertion of an exemption under
	Subdivision (1); and
	(3)  require a court to promptly set a hearing and stay
	proceedings until a hearing is held, if a judgment debtor timely
	asserts an exemption under Subdivision (1).
	(b)  Rules adopted under this section shall require the
	provision of a notice in plain language to a judgment debtor
	regarding the right of the judgment debtor to assert one or more
	exemptions under Subsection (a)(1). The notice must:
	(1)  be in English with an integrated Spanish
	translation that can be readily understood by the public and the
	court;
	(2)  include the form promulgated under Subsection (c);
	(3)  list all exemptions under state and federal law to
	the seizure of personal property; and
	(4)  provide information for accessing free or low-cost
	legal assistance.
	(c)  Rules adopted under this section shall include the
	promulgation of a form in plain language for asserting an exemption
	under Subsection (a)(1). A form promulgated under this subsection
	must:
	(1)  be in English with an integrated Spanish
	translation that can be readily understood by the public and the
	court; and
	(2)  include instructions for the use of the form.
	(d)  A court shall accept a form promulgated under Subsection
	(c) unless the form has been completed in a manner that causes a
	substantive defect that cannot be cured.
	SECTION 15.02.  Not later than May 1, 2022, the Supreme Court
	of Texas shall adopt rules and promulgate forms under Section
	22.0042, Government Code, as added by this article.
	ARTICLE 16. MISDEMEANOR CASES
	SECTION 16.01.  The heading to Article 45.0445, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
	Art. 45.0445.  RECONSIDERATION OF SATISFACTION OF FINE OR
	COSTS.
	SECTION 16.02.  Article 66.252, Code of Criminal Procedure,
	is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
	(b-1)  At any time before final disposition of the case, the
	justice or judge of a court having jurisdiction of the case of a
	misdemeanor described by Subsection (b)(3) may order a law
	enforcement officer to use the uniform incident fingerprint card to
	take the fingerprints of an offender who is charged with the
	misdemeanor, but was not placed under custodial arrest at the time
	of the offense.
	SECTION 16.03.  The changes in law made by this article apply
	only to a misdemeanor case that is initially filed in a justice or
	municipal court on or after the effective date of this Act,
	regardless of whether the offense for which the case is filed
	occurred before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
	ARTICLE 17. COURT REPORTERS
	SECTION 17.01.  Chapter 42, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
	amended by adding Article 42.25 to read as follows:
	Art. 42.25.  FILING OF REPORTER NOTES. A court reporter may
	comply with Rule 13.6, Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, by
	electronically filing with the trial court clerk not later than the
	20th day after the expiration of the time the defendant is allotted
	to perfect the appeal the untranscribed notes created by the court
	reporter using computer-aided software.
	SECTION 17.02.  Section 52.001(a)(4), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(4)  "Shorthand reporter" and "court reporter" mean a
	person who is certified as a court reporter, apprentice court
	reporter, or provisional court reporter under Chapter 154 to engage
	[engages] in shorthand reporting.
	SECTION 17.03.  Section 52.011, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 52.011.  PROVISION OF SIGNED DEPOSITION CERTIFICATE;
	CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS [CERTIFICATION]. (a)  A court reporting
	firm representative or a court reporter who reported a deposition
	for a case shall complete and sign a deposition certificate, known
	as the further certification.
	(b)  On request of a court reporter who reported a deposition
	for a case, a court reporting firm shall provide the reporter with a
	copy of the deposition certificate [document related to the
	deposition, known as the further certification,] that the reporter
	has signed or to which the reporter's signature has been applied.
	(c)  The deposition certificate must include:
	(1)  a statement that the deposition transcript was
	submitted to the deponent or the deponent's attorney for
	examination and signature;
	(2)  the date the transcript was submitted to the
	deponent or the deponent's attorney;
	(3)  the date the deponent returned the transcript, if
	returned, or a statement that the deponent did not return the
	transcript;
	(4)  a statement that any changes the deponent made to
	the transcript are reflected in a separate document attached to the
	transcript;
	(5)  a statement that the transcript was delivered in
	accordance with Rule 203.3, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure;
	(6)  the amount charged for preparing the original
	deposition transcript;
	(7)  a statement that a copy of the certificate was
	served on all parties to the case; and
	(8)  the date the copy of the certificate was served on
	the parties to the case.
	SECTION 17.04.  Section 52.046(d), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  A judge of a county court or county court at law shall
	appoint a [certified] shorthand reporter to report the oral
	testimony given in any contested probate matter in that judge's
	court.
	SECTION 17.05.  Section 154.001(a)(4), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(4)  "Shorthand reporter" and "court reporter" mean a
	person who is certified as a court reporter, apprentice court
	reporter, or provisional court reporter under this chapter to
	engage [engages] in shorthand reporting.
	SECTION 17.06.  Section 154.101(e), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(e)  A person may not assume or use the title or designation
	"court recorder," "court reporter," or "shorthand reporter," or any
	abbreviation, title, designation, words, letters, sign, card, or
	device tending to indicate that the person is a court reporter or
	shorthand reporter, unless the person is certified as a shorthand
	reporter or provisional court reporter by the supreme court.
	Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to either sanction or
	prohibit the use of electronic court recording equipment operated
	[by a noncertified court reporter pursuant and] according to rules
	adopted or approved by the supreme court.
	SECTION 17.07.  Section 154.105, Government Code, is amended
	by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e)
	to read as follows:
	(b)  A [certified] shorthand reporter may administer oaths
	to witnesses:
	(1)  anywhere in this state;
	(2)  in a jurisdiction outside this state if:
	(A)  the reporter is at the same location as the
	witness; and
	(B)  the witness is or may be a witness in a case
	filed in this state; and
	(3)  at any location authorized in a reciprocity
	agreement between this state and another jurisdiction under Section
	152.202(b).
	(c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), a shorthand reporter
	may administer an oath as provided under this subsection to a person
	who is or may be a witness in a case filed in this state without
	being at the same location as the witness:
	(1)  if the reporter is physically located in this
	state at the time the oath is administered; or
	(2)  as authorized in a reciprocity agreement between
	this state and another jurisdiction under Section 152.202(b) if:
	(A)  the witness is at a location in the other
	jurisdiction; and
	(B)  the reporter is at a location in the same
	jurisdiction as the witness.
	(d)  The identity of a witness who is not in the physical
	presence of a shorthand reporter may be proven by:
	(1)  a statement under oath on the record by a party to
	the case stating that the party has actual knowledge of the
	witness's identity;
	(2)  a statement on the record by an attorney for a
	party to the case, or an attorney for the witness, verifying the
	witness's identity;
	(3)  a statement on the record by a notary who is in the
	presence of the witness verifying the witness's identity; or
	(4)  the witness's presentation for inspection by the
	court reporter of an official document issued by this state,
	another state, a federal agency, or another jurisdiction that
	verifies the witness's identity.
	(e)  A shorthand reporter to which this section applies shall
	state on the record and certify in each transcript of the deposition
	the physical location of:
	(1)  the witness; and
	(2)  the reporter.
	SECTION 17.08.  Section 154.112, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 154.112.  EMPLOYMENT OF NONCERTIFIED PERSON FOR
	SHORTHAND REPORTING [REPORTERS]. (a) A person who is not certified
	as a court [noncertified shorthand] reporter may be employed to
	engage in shorthand reporting until a certified shorthand reporter
	is available.
	(b)  A person who is not certified as a court [noncertified
	shorthand] reporter may engage in shorthand reporting to report an
	oral deposition only if:
	(1)  the person [noncertified shorthand reporter]
	delivers an affidavit to the parties or to their counsel present at
	the deposition stating that a certified shorthand reporter is not
	available; or
	(2)  the parties or their counsel stipulate on the
	record at the beginning of the deposition that a certified
	shorthand reporter is not available.
	(c)  This section does not apply to a deposition taken
	outside this state for use in this state.
	SECTION 17.09.  The changes in law made by this article apply
	only to a deposition taken on or after the effective date of this
	Act. A deposition taken before that date is governed by the law in
	effect on the date the deposition was taken, and the former law is
	continued in effect for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 18. TRANSITION
	SECTION 18.01.  A state agency subject to this Act is
	required to implement a provision of this Act only if the
	legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose.  If
	the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
	purpose, the state agency may, but is not required to, implement a
	provision of this Act using other appropriations available for that
	purpose.
	ARTICLE 19. EFFECTIVE DATE
	SECTION 19.01.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act,
	this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3774 was passed by the House on May 7,
	2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 0, 1 present, not
	voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
	H.B. No. 3774 on May 28, 2021, and requested the appointment of a
	conference committee to consider the differences between the two
	houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
	on H.B. No. 3774 on May 30, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 134,
	Nays 3, 2 present, not voting; and that the House adopted H.C.R. No.
	118 authorizing certain corrections in H.B. No. 3774 on May 31,
	2021, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 0, 1 present, not
	voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 3774 was passed by the Senate, with
	amendments, on May 26, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
	0; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
	committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
	that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
	3774 on May 30, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0; and
	that the Senate adopted H.C.R. No. 118 authorizing certain
	corrections in H.B. No. 3774 on May 31, 2021, by the following vote:
	Yeas 31, Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED: __________________
	Date
	__________________
	Governor