S.B. No. 891

	AN ACT
	relating to the operation and administration of and practice in and
	grants provided by courts in the judicial branch of state
	government; increasing and imposing fees; creating a criminal
	offense.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	ARTICLE 1. DISTRICT COURTS
	SECTION 1.01.  Section 24.104(b), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The terms of the 4th District Court begin on the first
	Mondays in January and[, March, May,] July[, September, and
	November].
	SECTION 1.02.  (a)  The heading to Section 24.124,
	Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.124.  23RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT ([BRAZORIA,]
	MATAGORDA[,] AND WHARTON COUNTIES).
	(b)  Sections 24.124(a) and (b), Government Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The 23rd Judicial District is composed of [Brazoria,]
	Matagorda[,] and Wharton counties.
	(b)  The terms of the 23rd District Court begin:
	(1)  [in Brazoria County on the first Mondays in April
	and October, and the terms are designated the April-September and
	October-March terms;
	[(2)]  in Matagorda County on the first Mondays in June
	and December, and the terms are designated the June-November and
	December-May terms; and
	(2) [(3)]  in Wharton County on the first Mondays in
	July and January, and the terms are designated the July-December
	and January-June terms.
	(c)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Section 24.6005 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.6005.  461ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRAZORIA COUNTY).
	(a)  The 461st Judicial District is composed of Brazoria County.
	(b)  The 461st District Court shall give preference to family
	law matters.
	(d)  The local administrative district judge shall transfer
	to the 461st District Court all cases from Brazoria County that are
	pending in the 23rd District Court on the effective date of this
	Act.
	(e)  When a case is transferred as provided by Subsection (d)
	of this section:
	(1)  all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, or
	other obligations issued from the 23rd District Court are
	returnable to the 461st District Court as if originally issued by
	that court; and
	(2)  the obligees on all bonds and recognizances taken
	in and for the 23rd District Court and all witnesses summoned to
	appear in the 23rd District Court are required to appear before the
	461st District Court as if originally required to appear before
	that court.
	(f)  The 461st Judicial District is created on September 1,
	2019.
	SECTION 1.03.  (a)  Section 24.140, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.140.  38TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT ([MEDINA,] REAL[,] AND
	UVALDE COUNTIES). [(a)]  The 38th Judicial District is composed of
	[Medina,] Real[,] and Uvalde counties.
	[(b)  The terms of the 38th District Court begin:
	[(1)     in Medina County on the first Mondays in January
	and June;
	[(2)     in Real County on the first Mondays in April and
	November; and
	[(3)     in Uvalde County on the first Mondays in February
	and September.]
	(b)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Section 24.598 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.598.  454TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MEDINA COUNTY). The
	454th Judicial District is composed of Medina County.
	(c)  The local administrative district judge shall transfer
	to the 454th District Court all cases from Medina County that are
	pending in the 38th District Court on the effective date of this
	Act.
	(d)  When a case is transferred as provided by Subsection (c)
	of this section:
	(1)  all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, or
	other obligations issued from the 38th District Court are
	returnable to the 454th District Court as if originally issued by
	that court; and
	(2)  the obligees on all bonds and recognizances taken
	in and for the 38th District Court and all witnesses summoned to
	appear in the 38th District Court are required to appear before the
	454th District Court as if originally required to appear before
	that court.
	(e)  The 454th Judicial District is created on September 1,
	2019.
	SECTION 1.04.  (a)  Effective October 1, 2020, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.599 to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 24.599.  455TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TRAVIS COUNTY).
	(a)  The 455th Judicial District is composed of Travis County.
	(b)  The 455th District Court shall give preference to civil
	and family law matters.
	(b)  The 455th Judicial District is created on October 1,
	2020.
	SECTION 1.05.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2021, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.600 to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 24.600.  456TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (GUADALUPE COUNTY).
	(a)  The 456th Judicial District is composed of Guadalupe County.
	(b)  The 456th District Court shall give preference to civil
	cases.
	(b)  The 456th Judicial District is created on January 1,
	2021.
	SECTION 1.06.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
	Code, is amended by adding Section 24.6001 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.6001.  457TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (MONTGOMERY COUNTY).
	The 457th Judicial District is composed of Montgomery County.
	(b)  The 457th Judicial District is created on September 1,
	2019.
	SECTION 1.07.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2021, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60091
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60091.  466TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COMAL COUNTY). The
	466th Judicial District is composed of Comal County.
	(b)  The 466th Judicial District is created on January 1,
	2021.
	SECTION 1.08.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2021, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60092
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.60092.  467TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DENTON COUNTY).
	The 467th Judicial District is composed of Denton County.
	(b)  The 467th Judicial District is created on January 1,
	2021.
	SECTION 1.09.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
	Code, is amended by adding Sections 24.60093 and 24.60094 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 24.60093.  468TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLLIN COUNTY).
	(a)  The 468th Judicial District is composed of Collin County.
	(b)  The 468th District Court shall give preference to family
	law matters.
	Sec. 24.60094.  471ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLLIN COUNTY).
	(a)  The 471st Judicial District is composed of Collin County.
	(b)  The 471st District Court shall give preference to civil
	matters.
	(b)  The 468th District Court is created on September 1,
	2019.
	(c)  The 471st District Court is created on September 1,
	2019.
	ARTICLE 2. STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS
	SECTION 2.01.  (a)  Section 25.0202, Government Code, is
	amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (g) to
	read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Bosque County has
	concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
	(1)  family law cases and proceedings;
	(2)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
	exceeds $500 but does not exceed $200,000, excluding interest,
	court costs, and attorney's fees; [and]
	(3)  contested probate matters under Section 32.003,
	Estates Code; and
	(4)  felony cases transferred from the district court
	to conduct arraignments, pretrial hearings, and motions to
	adjudicate or revoke and to accept guilty pleas.
	(g)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, including
	transferred felony proceedings, the judge of a county court at law
	and the district judge may exchange benches, transfer cases, assign
	each other to hear cases in accordance with orders signed and
	approved by the judges, and otherwise manage their respective
	dockets under local administrative rules.
	(b)  The changes in law made to Section 25.0202, Government
	Code, apply only to a criminal case filed on or after the effective
	date of this Act. A criminal case filed before that date is
	governed by the law in effect on the date the case is filed, and that
	law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 2.02.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2021, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 25, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 25.0381
	and 25.0382 to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0381.  CHAMBERS COUNTY. Chambers County has one
	statutory county court, the County Court at Law of Chambers County.
	Sec. 25.0382.  CHAMBERS 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 Chambers County has
	concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
	(1)  arraignments, pleas, and pretrial motions for
	felony cases; and
	(2)  family law cases and proceedings.
	(b)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a
	county court at law and a judge of a district court in Chambers
	County may transfer cases between the courts in the same manner that
	judges of district courts may transfer cases under Section 24.003.
	(c)  The judge of a county court at law shall be paid an
	annual salary in an amount at least equal to the amount that is
	$1,000 less than the total annual salary, including supplements,
	received by a district judge in the county.  The salary shall be
	paid out of the county treasury on order of the commissioners court.
	(d)  The judge of a county court at law is entitled to travel
	expenses and necessary office expenses, including administrative
	and clerical help, in the same manner as a district judge in the
	county.
	(e)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in matters of concurrent jurisdiction with the district court
	other than misdemeanor cases and probate matters and proceedings.
	The county clerk serves as clerk for all other cases.  Each clerk
	shall establish a separate docket for a county court at law.  The
	commissioners court may employ as many deputy sheriffs and bailiffs
	as are necessary to serve the court.
	(f)  If a case or proceeding in which a county court at law
	has concurrent jurisdiction with a district court is tried before a
	jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members.  In all other cases,
	the jury shall be composed of six members.
	(g)  The judge of a county court at law may, instead of
	appointing an official court reporter, contract for the services of
	a court reporter under guidelines established by the commissioners
	court.
	(h)  The laws governing the drawing, selection, service, and
	pay of jurors for county courts apply to a county court at law.
	Jurors regularly impaneled for a week by the district court may, on
	a request of a judge of the county court at law, be made available
	and shall serve for the week in a county court at law.
	(i)  A county court at law has the same terms of court as a
	district court in Chambers County.
	(b)  The County Court at Law of Chambers County is created on
	January 1, 2021.
	SECTION 2.03.  (a)  Section 25.0481, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0481.  COMAL COUNTY. Comal County has the following
	statutory county courts:
	(1)  County Court at Law No. 1 of Comal County; [and]
	(2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of Comal County; and
	(3)  County Court at Law No. 3 of Comal County.
	(b)  The County Court at Law No. 3 of Comal County is created
	on September 1, 2019.
	SECTION 2.04.  Section 25.0512, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Cooke County has
	concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases
	and proceedings.
	(b)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in family law cases and proceedings, and the county clerk serves
	as clerk of the court in all other cases and proceedings.
	SECTION 2.05.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2021, Section
	25.0721, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0721.  ELLIS COUNTY. Ellis County has the following
	statutory county courts:
	(1)  the County Court at Law No. 1 of Ellis County;
	[and]
	(2)  the County Court at Law No. 2 of Ellis County; and
	(3)  the County Court at Law No. 3 of Ellis County.
	(b)  The County Court at Law No. 3 of Ellis County is created
	on January 1, 2021.
	SECTION 2.06.  (a)  Effective October 1, 2019, Subchapter C,
	Chapter 25, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 25.0881
	and 25.0882 to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0881.  GILLESPIE COUNTY. Gillespie County has one
	statutory county court, the County Court at Law of Gillespie
	County.
	Sec. 25.0882.  GILLESPIE 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 Gillespie County has
	concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
	(1)  family law cases and proceedings; and
	(2)  juvenile law cases and proceedings.
	(b)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law for family law cases and proceedings and the county clerk serves
	as clerk for all other cases. The commissioners court may employ as
	many deputy sheriffs and bailiffs as are necessary to serve the
	court.
	(c)  If a case or proceeding in which a county court at law
	has concurrent jurisdiction with a district court is tried before a
	jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members. In all other cases,
	the jury shall be composed of six members.
	(b)  The County Court at Law of Gillespie County is created
	on October 1, 2019.
	SECTION 2.07.  (a)  Section 25.1101(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Hidalgo County has the following statutory county
	courts:
	(1)  County Court at Law No. 1 of Hidalgo County;
	(2)  County Court at Law No. 2 of Hidalgo County;
	(3)  County Court at Law No. 4 of Hidalgo County;
	(4)  County Court at Law No. 5 of Hidalgo County;
	(5)  County Court at Law No. 6 of Hidalgo County;
	(6)  County Court at Law No. 7 of Hidalgo County; [and]
	(7)  County Court at Law No. 8 of Hidalgo County;
	(8)  County Court at Law No. 9 of Hidalgo County; and
	(9)  County Court at Law No. 10 of Hidalgo County.
	(b)  The County Court at Law No. 9 of Hidalgo County and
	County Court at Law No. 10 of Hidalgo County are created on
	September 1, 2019.
	SECTION 2.08.  (a)  Section 25.1312, Government Code, is
	amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (d) to
	read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, a statutory county court in Kaufman County
	has, except as limited by Subsection [Subsections] (b) [and (b-1)],
	the jurisdiction provided by the constitution and general law for
	district courts.
	(d)  A jury must be composed of 12 members in:
	(1)  civil cases in which the amount in controversy is
	$200,000 or more;
	(2)  family law cases and proceedings; and
	(3)  felony cases.
	(b)  Section 25.1312, Government Code, as amended by this
	Act, applies only to a cause of action filed on or after the
	effective date of this Act. A cause of action filed before that
	date is governed by the law in effect immediately before that date,
	and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 2.09.  (a)  Section 25.1481, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.1481.  LIBERTY COUNTY. (a)  Liberty County has the
	following statutory county courts:
	(1)  [one statutory county court,] the County Court at
	Law of Liberty County; and
	(2)  the County Court at Law No. 2 of Liberty County.
	(b)  The county courts at law [County Court at Law] of
	Liberty County sit [sits] in Liberty.
	(b)  The County Court at Law No. 2 of Liberty County is
	created on September 1, 2019.
	SECTION 2.10.  Section 25.1902, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
	(b-1)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by
	Subsections (a) and (b), the County Court at Law No. 1 of Potter
	County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in
	felony cases to conduct arraignments, conduct pretrial hearings,
	and accept pleas in uncontested matters.
	SECTION 2.11.  Section 25.1972, Government Code, is amended
	by amending Subsections (a), (e), and (g) and adding Subsections
	(b) and (f) 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 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;
	(3)  contested elections; or
	(4)  except as provided by Subsections (a)(1)(D) and
	(E), family law cases [and proceedings].
	(e)  A [The] judge of a county court at law in Reeves County
	shall be paid an annual salary equal to the amount that is $1,000
	less than [that does not exceed 90 percent of] the [total] salary
	paid by the state to a district judge in the county. The salary
	shall be paid in the same manner and from the same fund as
	prescribed by law for the county judge [out of the county treasury
	on order of the commissioners court. The judge is entitled to
	travel expenses and necessary office expenses, including
	administrative and clerical assistance].
	(f)  A county court at law may not issue writs of habeas
	corpus in felony cases.
	(g)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in the [family law] cases described by Subsection (a) [and
	proceedings], and the county clerk serves as clerk of the court in
	all other matters.
	SECTION 2.12.  (a)  Section 25.2011, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.2011.  ROCKWALL COUNTY. Rockwall County has the
	following statutory county courts:
	(1)  [one statutory county court,] the County Court at
	Law No. 1 of Rockwall County; and
	(2)  the County Court at Law No. 2 of Rockwall County.
	(b)  Sections 25.2012(c), (g), and (h), Government Code, are
	amended to read as follows:
	(c)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law except that the county clerk serves as clerk of a [the] county
	court at law in matters of mental health, the probate and criminal
	misdemeanor docket, and all civil matters in which a [the] county
	court at law does not have concurrent jurisdiction with a [the]
	district court.
	(g)  When administering a case for a [the] county court at
	law, the district clerk shall charge civil fees and court costs as
	if the case had been filed in a [the] district court.  In a case of
	concurrent jurisdiction, the case shall be assigned to either a
	[the] district court or a [the] county court at law in accordance
	with local administrative rules established by the local
	administrative judge.
	(h)  The judge of a [the] county court at law shall appoint an
	official court reporter for the judge's court and shall set the
	official court reporter's annual salary, subject to approval by the
	county commissioners court.  The official court reporter of a [the]
	county court at law shall take an oath or affirmation as an officer
	of the court.  The official court reporter holds office at the
	pleasure of the judge [of the court] and shall be provided a private
	office in close proximity to the court.  The official court reporter
	is entitled to all rights and benefits afforded all other county
	employees.
	(c)  The County Court at Law No. 2 of Rockwall County is
	created on September 1, 2019.
	ARTICLE 3. MUNICIPAL COURTS
	SECTION 3.01.  (a)  Section 30.00044(l), Government Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	(l)  Sections [Section] 30.00007(b)(5) and 30.00009(c) and
	(d) do [does] not apply to this subchapter.
	(b)  Section 30.00044(l), Government Code, as amended by
	this section, applies to a clerk and other court personnel of the
	municipal court of record of the City of Lubbock employed on or
	after the effective date of this Act, regardless of whether the
	clerk or other personnel began employment before, on, or after the
	effective date of this Act.
	ARTICLE 4. SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGES
	SECTION 4.01.  Section 832.101, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 832.101.  INELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP. A retiree who
	makes an election under Subchapter C of Chapter 74 [or who is
	appointed under Subchapter C of Chapter 75] may not rejoin the
	retirement system or receive credit in the retirement system for
	the period of an appointment or for any service performed under
	assignment.
	SECTION 4.02.  Section 836.006, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 836.006.  DIVERSION OF MONEY PROHIBITED. Except as
	provided by Section [Sections 840.101(b) and] 840.305(c), no part
	of the money contributed to the retirement system under Section
	840.102 [or 840.104] and no part of the contribution described by
	Section 840.103(b)(2) may be used for or diverted to any purpose
	other than the exclusive benefit of members, their beneficiaries,
	and annuitants of the retirement system.
	SECTION 4.03.  Section 837.101, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 837.101.  JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENT. A retiree who makes an
	election under Subchapter C of Chapter 74 [or who is appointed under
	Subchapter C of Chapter 75] may not rejoin or receive credit in the
	retirement system for the period of an appointment or for any
	service performed under assignment.
	ARTICLE 5. MASTERS AND MAGISTRATES
	SECTION 5.01.  Article 2.09, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Art. 2.09.  WHO ARE MAGISTRATES. Each of the following
	officers is a magistrate within the meaning of this Code:  The
	justices of the Supreme Court, the judges of the Court of Criminal
	Appeals, the justices of the Courts of Appeals, the judges of the
	District Court, the magistrates appointed by the judges of the
	district courts of Bexar County, Dallas County, or Tarrant County
	that give preference to criminal cases, the criminal law hearing
	officers for Harris County appointed under Subchapter L, Chapter
	54, Government Code, the criminal law hearing officers for Cameron
	County appointed under Subchapter BB, Chapter 54, Government Code,
	the magistrates or associate judges appointed by the judges of the
	district courts of Lubbock County, Nolan County, or Webb County,
	the magistrates appointed by the judges of the criminal district
	courts of Dallas County or Tarrant County, the associate judges
	appointed by the judges of the district courts and the county courts
	at law that give preference to criminal cases in Jefferson County,
	the associate judges appointed by the judges of the district courts
	and the statutory county courts of Brazos County, Nueces County, or
	Williamson County, the magistrates appointed by the judges of the
	district courts and statutory county courts that give preference to
	criminal cases in Travis County, the criminal magistrates appointed
	by the Brazoria County Commissioners Court, the criminal
	magistrates appointed by the Burnet County Commissioners Court, the
	magistrates appointed by the El Paso Council of Judges, the county
	judges, the judges of the county courts at law, judges of the county
	criminal courts, the judges of statutory probate courts, the
	associate judges appointed by the judges of the statutory probate
	courts under Chapter 54A, Government Code, the associate judges
	appointed by the judge of a district court under Chapter 54A,
	Government Code, the magistrates appointed under Subchapter JJ,
	Chapter 54, Government Code, the magistrates appointed by the
	Collin County Commissioners Court, the magistrates appointed by the
	Fort Bend County Commissioners Court [as added by H.B. No.   2132,
	Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011], the justices
	of the peace, and the mayors and recorders and the judges of the
	municipal courts of incorporated cities or towns.
	SECTION 5.02.  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; [and]
	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.
	SECTION 5.03.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER B. BELL COUNTY TRUANCY MASTERS
	Sec. 54.101.  APPOINTMENT. (a)  The Commissioners Court of
	Bell County may select masters to serve the justice courts of Bell
	County having jurisdiction in truancy matters.
	(b)  The commissioners court shall establish the minimum
	qualifications, salary, benefits, and other compensation of each
	master position and shall determine whether the position is
	full-time or part-time.
	(c)  A master appointed under this section serves at the
	pleasure of the commissioners court.
	Sec. 54.102.  JURISDICTION. A master appointed under this
	subchapter has concurrent jurisdiction with the judges of the
	justice of the peace courts of Bell County over cases involving
	truant conduct in accordance with Section 65.004, Family Code.
	Sec. 54.103.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (a)  The Commissioners
	Court of Bell County shall establish the powers and duties of a
	master appointed under this subchapter.
	(b)  An order of referral may limit the use or power of a
	master.
	(c)  Unless limited by published local rule, by written
	order, or by an order of referral, a master may perform all acts and
	take all measures necessary and proper to perform the tasks
	assigned in a referral.
	(d)  A master may administer oaths.
	Sec. 54.104.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A master has the same
	judicial immunity as a district judge.
	Sec. 54.105.  TRAINING. A master appointed under this
	subchapter must successfully complete all training a justice of the
	peace is required to complete under state law.
	Sec. 54.106.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUMMONS OR ORDER. If an
	attorney, party, witness, or any other person fails to comply with a
	summons or order, the master may certify that failure in writing to
	the referring court for appropriate action.
	Sec. 54.107.  WITNESSES. (a)  A witness appearing before a
	master is subject to the penalties of perjury as provided by Chapter
	37, Penal Code.
	(b)  A witness referred to the court under Section 54.106 is
	subject to the same penalties and orders that may be imposed on a
	witness appearing in a hearing before the court.
	SECTION 5.04.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter MM to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER MM.  MAGISTRATES IN COLLIN COUNTY
	Sec. 54.2201.  AUTHORIZATION; APPOINTMENT; TERMINATION;
	ELIMINATION. (a)  The Commissioners Court of Collin County by
	majority vote may appoint one or more part-time or full-time
	magistrates to perform the duties authorized by this subchapter.
	(b)  An order appointing a magistrate must be signed by the
	county judge of Collin County, and the order must state:
	(1)  the magistrate's name; and
	(2)  the date the magistrate's employment begins.
	(c)  A magistrate may be terminated by a majority vote of the
	Commissioners Court of Collin County.
	(d)  An authorized magistrate's position may be eliminated
	on a majority vote of the Commissioners Court of Collin County.
	Sec. 54.2202.  QUALIFICATIONS; OATH OF OFFICE. (a)  To be
	eligible for appointment as a magistrate, a person must:
	(1)  be a citizen of the United States;
	(2)  have resided in Collin County for at least the four
	years preceding the person's appointment; and
	(3)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
	for at least four years.
	(b)  A magistrate appointed under Section 54.2201 must take
	the constitutional oath of office required of appointed officers of
	this state.
	Sec. 54.2203.  COMPENSATION. A magistrate is entitled to
	the compensation set by the Commissioners Court of Collin County.
	The compensation shall be paid from the general fund of the county.
	Sec. 54.2204.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A magistrate has the same
	judicial immunity as a district judge.
	Sec. 54.2205.  PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (a)  The
	judge of a district court or county court at law or a justice of the
	peace may refer to a magistrate any case or matter relating to a
	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 guilt;
	(11)  setting conditions, modifying, revoking, and
	surrendering of bonds, including surety bonds;
	(12)  specialty court proceedings;
	(13)  a waiver of extradition;
	(14)  selection of a jury; and
	(15)  any other matter the judge or justice of the peace
	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)  If the magistrate is acting as an associate judge under
	Section 54.2216, the magistrate may hear any case referred under
	Section 54A.106.
	(e)  A magistrate may not preside over a criminal trial on
	the merits, regardless of whether the trial is before a jury.
	(f)  A magistrate may not hear any jury trial on the merits.
	Sec. 54.2206.  ORDER OF REFERRAL. (a)  To refer one or more
	cases to a magistrate, a judge or justice of the peace 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 receive and report on evidence only;
	(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)  set forth general powers and limitations of
	authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred.
	Sec. 54.2207.  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 in civil or
	criminal matters;
	(4)  rule on disputes regarding civil discovery;
	(5)  rule on admissibility of evidence;
	(6)  issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
	(7)  examine witnesses;
	(8)  swear witnesses for hearings;
	(9)  make findings of fact on evidence;
	(10)  formulate conclusions of law;
	(11)  rule on a pretrial motion;
	(12)  recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be
	made in a case;
	(13)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
	(14)  accept a plea of guilty from a defendant charged
	with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses;
	(15)  select a jury;
	(16)  accept a negotiated plea on a probation
	revocation;
	(17)  conduct a contested probation revocation
	hearing;
	(18)  sign a dismissal in a misdemeanor case;
	(19)  enter an order of dismissal or non-suit on
	agreement of the parties in a civil case;
	(20)  in any case referred under Section 54.2205(a)(1),
	accept a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest and:
	(A)  enter a finding of guilt and impose or
	suspend the sentence; or
	(B)  defer adjudication of guilt;
	(21)  conduct initial juvenile detention hearings if
	approved by the juvenile board of Collin County; and
	(22)  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 unadjudicated cases at sentencing under Section 12.45,
	Penal Code.
	(c)  Except as provided by Sections 54.2205(e) and (f), a
	magistrate has all of the powers of a magistrate under the laws of
	this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.
	Sec. 54.2208.  FORFEITURES. Bail bonds and personal bonds
	may be forfeited by the magistrate court in the manner provided by
	Chapter 22, Code of Criminal Procedure, and those forfeitures shall
	be filed with:
	(1)  the district clerk if associated with a felony
	case;
	(2)  the county clerk if associated with a Class A or
	Class B misdemeanor case; or
	(3)  the same justice court clerk associated with the
	Class C misdemeanor case in which the bond was originally filed.
	Sec. 54.2209.  COSTS.  (a)  When the district clerk is the
	clerk under this subchapter, the district clerk shall charge the
	same court costs for cases filed in, transferred to, or assigned to
	the magistrate court that are charged in the district courts.
	(b)  When the county clerk is the clerk under this
	subchapter, the county clerk shall charge the same court costs for
	cases filed in, transferred to, or assigned to the magistrate court
	that are charged in the county courts.
	(c)  When a justice clerk is the clerk under this subchapter,
	the justice clerk shall charge the same court costs for cases filed
	in, transferred to, or assigned to the magistrate court that are
	charged in the justice courts.
	Sec. 54.2210.  CLERK. (a)  The district clerk serves as
	clerk of the magistrate court, except that:
	(1)  after a Class A or Class B misdemeanor is filed in
	the county court at law and assigned to the magistrate court, the
	county clerk serves as clerk for that misdemeanor case; and
	(2)  after a Class C misdemeanor is filed in a justice
	court and assigned to the magistrate court, the originating justice
	court clerk serves as clerk for that misdemeanor case.
	(b)  The district clerk shall establish a docket and keep the
	minutes for the cases filed in or transferred to the magistrate
	court.  The district clerk shall perform any other duties that local
	administrative rules require in connection with the implementation
	of this subchapter.  The local administrative judge shall ensure
	that the duties required under this subsection are performed.  To
	facilitate the duties associated with serving as the clerk of the
	magistrate court, the district clerk and the deputies of the
	district clerk may serve as deputy justice clerks and deputy county
	clerks at the discretion of the district clerk.
	(c)  The clerk of the case shall include as part of the record
	on appeal a copy of the order and local administrative rule under
	which a magistrate court acted.
	Sec. 54.2211.  COURT REPORTER. At the request of a party,
	the court shall provide a court reporter to record the proceedings
	before the magistrate.
	Sec. 54.2212.  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. 54.2213.  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. 54.2214.  COSTS OF MAGISTRATE. The court shall
	determine if the nonprevailing party is able to defray the costs of
	the magistrate.  If the court determines the nonprevailing party is
	able to pay those costs, the court shall assess the magistrate's
	costs against the nonprevailing party.
	Sec. 54.2215.  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. 54.2216.  MAGISTRATE AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE. A magistrate
	appointed under this subchapter may act as a civil associate judge
	under Subchapter B, Chapter 54A. To the extent of any conflict with
	this subchapter, a magistrate acting as an associate judge shall
	comply with provisions regarding the appointment, termination,
	referral of cases, powers, duties, and immunities of associate
	judges under Subchapter B, Chapter 54A.
	SECTION 5.05.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter NN to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER NN. MAGISTRATES IN KERR COUNTY
	Sec. 54.2301.  AUTHORIZATION; APPOINTMENT; ELIMINATION.
	(a)  The Commissioners Court of Kerr County may authorize the
	judges of the district and statutory county courts in Kerr County to
	appoint one or more part-time or full-time magistrates to perform
	the duties authorized by this subchapter.
	(b)  The judges of the district and statutory county courts
	in Kerr County by a unanimous vote may appoint magistrates as
	authorized by the Commissioners Court of Kerr County.
	(c)  An order appointing a magistrate must be signed by the
	local presiding judge of the district courts serving Kerr County,
	and the order must state:
	(1)  the magistrate's name; and
	(2)  the date the magistrate's employment is to begin.
	(d)  An authorized magistrate's position may be eliminated
	on a majority vote of the Commissioners Court of Kerr County.
	Sec. 54.2302.  QUALIFICATIONS; OATH OF OFFICE.  (a)  To be
	eligible for appointment as a magistrate, a person must:
	(1)  be a citizen of the United States;
	(2)  have resided in Kerr County for at least the two
	years preceding the person's appointment; and
	(3)  be at least 30 years of age.
	(b)  A magistrate appointed under Section 54.2301 must take
	the constitutional oath of office required of appointed officers of
	this state.
	Sec. 54.2303.  COMPENSATION.  (a)  A magistrate is entitled
	to the salary determined by the Commissioners Court of Kerr County.
	(b)  A full-time magistrate's salary may not be less than
	that of a justice of the peace of Kerr County as established by the
	annual budget of Kerr County.
	(c)  A part-time magistrate's salary is equal to the per-hour
	salary of a justice of the peace.  The per-hour salary is determined
	by dividing the annual salary by a 2,000 work-hour year.  The local
	administrative judge of the district courts serving Kerr County
	shall approve the number of hours for which a part-time magistrate
	is to be paid.
	(d)  The magistrate's salary is paid from the county fund
	available for payment of officers' salaries.
	Sec. 54.2304.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY.  A magistrate has the same
	judicial immunity as a district judge.
	Sec. 54.2305.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  (a)  A magistrate
	may be terminated by a majority vote of all the judges of the
	district and statutory county courts of Kerr County.
	(b)  To terminate a magistrate's employment, the local
	administrative judge of the district courts serving Kerr County
	must sign a written order of termination. The order must state:
	(1)  the magistrate's name; and
	(2)  the final date of the magistrate's employment.
	Sec. 54.2306.  JURISDICTION; RESPONSIBILITY; POWERS.
	(a)  The judges of the district or statutory county courts shall
	establish standing orders to be followed by a magistrate or parties
	appearing before a magistrate, as applicable.
	(b)  To the extent authorized by this subchapter and the
	standing orders, a magistrate has jurisdiction to exercise the
	authority granted by the judges of the district or statutory county
	courts.
	(c)  A magistrate has all of the powers of a magistrate under
	the laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.
	(d)  A magistrate shall give preference to performing the
	duties of a magistrate under Article 15.17, Code of Criminal
	Procedure.
	(e)  A magistrate is authorized to:
	(1)  set, adjust, and revoke bonds before the filing of
	an information or the return of an indictment;
	(2)  conduct examining trials;
	(3)  determine whether a defendant is indigent and
	appoint counsel for an indigent defendant;
	(4)  issue search and arrest warrants;
	(5)  issue emergency protective orders;
	(6)  order emergency mental commitments; and
	(7)  conduct initial juvenile detention hearings if
	approved by the Kerr County Juvenile Board.
	(f)  With the express authorization of a justice of the
	peace, a magistrate may exercise concurrent criminal jurisdiction
	with the justice of the peace to dispose as provided by law of cases
	filed in the precinct of the authorizing justice of the peace,
	except for a trial on the merits following a plea of not guilty.
	(g)  A magistrate may:
	(1)  issue notices of the setting of a case for a
	hearing;
	(2)  conduct hearings;
	(3)  compel production of evidence;
	(4)  hear evidence;
	(5)  issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
	(6)  swear witnesses for hearings;
	(7)  regulate proceedings in a hearing; and
	(8)  perform any act and take any measure necessary and
	proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by the
	magistrate's jurisdiction and authority.
	Sec. 54.2307.  PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, AND OFFICE SPACE.  The
	Commissioners Court of Kerr County shall provide:
	(1)  personnel for the legal or clerical functions
	necessary to perform the magistrate's duties authorized by this
	chapter; and
	(2)  sufficient equipment and office space for the
	magistrate and personnel to perform the magistrate's essential
	functions.
	SECTION 5.06.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter OO to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER OO.  MAGISTRATES IN FORT BEND COUNTY
	Sec. 54.2401.  AUTHORIZATION; APPOINTMENT; ELIMINATION.
	(a)  The Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County may authorize the
	judges of the district and statutory county courts in Fort Bend
	County to appoint one or more part-time or full-time magistrates to
	perform the duties authorized by this subchapter.
	(b)  The judges of the district and statutory county courts
	in Fort Bend County by a unanimous vote may appoint magistrates as
	authorized by the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County.
	(c)  An order appointing a magistrate must be signed by the
	local administrative judge and must state:
	(1)  the magistrate's name; and
	(2)  the date the magistrate's employment is to begin.
	(d)  An authorized magistrate's position may be eliminated
	on a majority vote of the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend County.
	Sec. 54.2402.  QUALIFICATIONS; OATH OF OFFICE. (a)  To be
	eligible for appointment as a magistrate, a person must:
	(1)  be a citizen of the United States;
	(2)  have resided in Fort Bend County for at least the
	four years preceding the person's appointment; and
	(3)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
	for at least four years.
	(b)  A magistrate appointed under Section 54.2401 must take
	the constitutional oath of office required of appointed officers of
	this state.
	Sec. 54.2403.  COMPENSATION. A magistrate is entitled to
	the compensation set by the Commissioners Court of Fort Bend
	County.  The compensation shall be paid from the general fund of the
	county.
	Sec. 54.2404.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A magistrate has the same
	judicial immunity as a district judge.
	Sec. 54.2405.  PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (a)  The
	judge of a district court or county court at law or a justice of the
	peace may refer to a magistrate any case or matter relating to a
	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 guilt;
	(11)  setting conditions, modifying, revoking, and
	surrendering of bonds, including surety bonds;
	(12)  specialty court proceedings;
	(13)  a waiver of extradition;
	(14)  selection of a jury; and
	(15)  any other matter the judge or justice of the peace
	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)  If the magistrate is acting as an associate judge under
	Section 54.2416, the magistrate may hear any case referred under
	Section 54A.106.
	(e)  A magistrate may not preside over a criminal trial on
	the merits, regardless of whether the trial is before a jury.
	(f)  A magistrate may not hear any jury trial on the merits.
	Sec. 54.2406.  ORDER OF REFERRAL. (a)  To refer one or more
	cases to a magistrate, a judge or justice of the peace 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 receive and report on evidence only;
	(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)  set forth general powers and limitations of
	authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred.
	Sec. 54.2407.  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 in civil or
	criminal matters;
	(4)  rule on disputes regarding civil discovery;
	(5)  rule on admissibility of evidence;
	(6)  issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
	(7)  examine witnesses;
	(8)  swear witnesses for hearings;
	(9)  make findings of fact on evidence;
	(10)  formulate conclusions of law;
	(11)  rule on a pretrial motion;
	(12)  recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be
	made in a case;
	(13)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
	(14)  accept a plea of guilty from a defendant charged
	with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses;
	(15)  select a jury;
	(16)  accept a negotiated plea on a probation
	revocation;
	(17)  conduct a contested probation revocation
	hearing;
	(18)  sign a dismissal in a misdemeanor case;
	(19)  enter an order of dismissal or nonsuit on
	agreement of the parties in a civil case;
	(20)  in any case referred under Section 54.2405(a)(1),
	accept a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest and:
	(A)  enter a finding of guilt and impose or
	suspend the sentence; or
	(B)  defer adjudication of guilt;
	(21)  conduct initial juvenile detention hearings if
	approved by the juvenile board of Fort Bend County; and
	(22)  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 unadjudicated cases at sentencing under Section 12.45,
	Penal Code.
	(c)  Except as provided by Sections 54.2405(e) and (f), a
	magistrate has all of the powers of a magistrate under the laws of
	this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.
	Sec. 54.2408.  FORFEITURES. Bail bonds and personal bonds
	may be forfeited by the magistrate court in the manner provided by
	Chapter 22, Code of Criminal Procedure, and those forfeitures shall
	be filed with:
	(1)  the district clerk if associated with a felony
	case;
	(2)  the county clerk if associated with a Class A or
	Class B misdemeanor case; or
	(3)  the same justice court clerk associated with the
	Class C misdemeanor case in which the bond was originally filed.
	Sec. 54.2409.  COSTS.  (a)  When the district clerk is the
	clerk under this subchapter, the district clerk shall charge the
	same court costs for cases filed in, transferred to, or assigned to
	the magistrate court that are charged in the district courts.
	(b)  When the county clerk is the clerk under this
	subchapter, the county clerk shall charge the same court costs for
	cases filed in, transferred to, or assigned to the magistrate court
	that are charged in the county courts.
	(c)  When a justice clerk is the clerk under this subchapter,
	the justice clerk shall charge the same court costs for cases filed
	in, transferred to, or assigned to the magistrate court that are
	charged in the justice courts.
	Sec. 54.2410.  CLERK. (a)  The district clerk serves as
	clerk of the magistrate court, except that:
	(1)  after a Class A or Class B misdemeanor is filed in
	the county court at law and assigned to the magistrate court, the
	county clerk serves as clerk for that misdemeanor case; and
	(2)  after a Class C misdemeanor is filed in a justice
	court and assigned to the magistrate court, the originating justice
	court clerk serves as clerk for that misdemeanor case.
	(b)  The district clerk shall establish a docket and keep the
	minutes for the cases filed in or transferred to the magistrate
	court.  The district clerk shall perform any other duties that local
	administrative rules require in connection with the implementation
	of this subchapter.  The local administrative judge shall ensure
	that the duties required under this subsection are performed.  To
	facilitate the duties associated with serving as the clerk of the
	magistrate court, the district clerk and the deputies of the
	district clerk may serve as deputy justice clerks and deputy county
	clerks at the discretion of the district clerk.
	(c)  The clerk of the case shall include as part of the record
	on appeal a copy of the order and local administrative rule under
	which a magistrate court acted.
	Sec. 54.2411.  COURT REPORTER. At the request of a party,
	the court shall provide a court reporter to record the proceedings
	before the magistrate.
	Sec. 54.2412.  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. 54.2413.  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. 54.2414.  COSTS OF MAGISTRATE. The court shall
	determine if the nonprevailing party is able to defray the costs of
	the magistrate.  If the court determines the nonprevailing party is
	able to pay those costs, the court shall assess the magistrate's
	costs against the nonprevailing party.
	Sec. 54.2415.  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. 54.2416.  MAGISTRATE AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE. A magistrate
	appointed under this subchapter may act as a civil associate judge
	under Subchapter B, Chapter 54A.  To the extent of any conflict with
	this subchapter, a magistrate acting as an associate judge shall
	comply with provisions regarding the appointment, termination,
	referral of cases, powers, duties, and immunities of associate
	judges under Subchapter B, Chapter 54A.
	ARTICLE 6. DISTRICT AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS
	SECTION 6.01.  Section 43.105(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The voters of Montgomery County elect a district
	attorney for the 9th Judicial District who represents the state in
	that district court only in that county. The district attorney also
	acts as district attorney for the 410th and 457th Judicial
	Districts [District in Montgomery County].
	SECTION 6.02.  Section 43.108, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 43.108.  21ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT. (a)  The voters of
	Washington County [and Burleson counties] elect a district attorney
	for the 21st Judicial District who represents the state in that
	district court only in that county [those counties].
	(b)  The district attorney also represents the state and
	performs the duties of district attorney before the 335th District
	Court in Washington County [and Burleson counties].
	SECTION 6.03.  (a)  Section 43.123, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 43.123.  38TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. (a)  The voters of
	the 38th Judicial District elect a district attorney.
	(b)  The district attorney of the 38th Judicial District also
	represents the state and performs the duties of the district
	attorney before the 454th Judicial District. This subsection
	expires January 1, 2021.
	(b)  Effective January 1, 2021, Section 44.001, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 44.001.  ELECTION. The voters of each of the following
	counties elect a criminal district attorney:  Anderson, Austin,
	Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cass, Collin,
	Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland, Fannin, Galveston,
	Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jasper,
	Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison, Medina,
	Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto,
	Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker,
	Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum.
	(c)  Effective January 1, 2021, Subchapter B, Chapter 44,
	Government Code, is amended by adding Section 44.263 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 44.263.  MEDINA COUNTY. (a)  The criminal district
	attorney of Medina County must meet the following qualifications:
	(1)  be at least 30 years old;
	(2)  have been a practicing attorney in this state for
	at least five years; and
	(3)  have been a resident of Medina County for at least
	one year before election or appointment.
	(b)  The criminal district attorney has all the powers,
	duties, and privileges in Medina County that are conferred by law on
	county and district attorneys in the various counties and
	districts.
	(c)  The criminal district attorney shall attend each term
	and session of the district and inferior courts of Medina County,
	except municipal courts, held for the transaction of criminal
	business and shall exclusively represent the state in all criminal
	matters before those courts.
	(d)  The criminal district attorney shall represent Medina
	County in any court in which the county has pending business. This
	subsection does not require the criminal district attorney to
	represent the county in a delinquent tax suit or condemnation
	proceeding and does not prevent the county from retaining other
	legal counsel in a civil matter at any time it considers
	appropriate.
	(e)  The criminal district attorney shall collect the fees,
	commissions, and perquisites that are provided by law for similar
	services rendered by a district or county attorney.
	(f)  The criminal district attorney is entitled to receive in
	equal monthly installments compensation from the state equal to the
	amount paid by the state to district attorneys. The state
	compensation shall be paid by the comptroller as appropriated by
	the legislature. The Commissioners Court of Medina County shall
	pay the criminal district attorney an additional amount so that the
	total compensation of the criminal district attorney equals at
	least 90 percent of the total salary paid to the judge of the 454th
	District Court in Medina County. The compensation paid by the
	county shall be paid in semiweekly or bimonthly installments, as
	determined by the commissioners court.
	(g)  The criminal district attorney or the Commissioners
	Court of Medina County may accept gifts and grants from any
	individual, partnership, corporation, trust, foundation,
	association, or governmental entity for the purpose of financing or
	assisting effective prosecution, crime prevention or suppression,
	rehabilitation of offenders, substance abuse education, treatment
	and prevention, or crime victim assistance programs in Medina
	County. The criminal district attorney shall account for and
	report to the commissioners court all gifts or grants accepted
	under this subsection.
	(h)  The criminal district attorney, for the purpose of
	conducting affairs of the office, may appoint a staff composed of
	assistant criminal district attorneys, investigators,
	stenographers, clerks, and other personnel that the commissioners
	court may authorize. The salary of a staff member is an amount
	recommended by the criminal district attorney and approved by the
	commissioners court. The commissioners court shall pay the
	salaries of the staff in equal semiweekly or bimonthly installments
	from county funds.
	(i)  The criminal district attorney shall, with the advice
	and consent of the commissioners court, designate one or more
	individuals to act as an assistant criminal district attorney with
	exclusive responsibility for assisting the commissioners court. An
	individual designated as an assistant criminal district attorney
	under this subsection must have extensive experience in
	representing public entities and knowledge of the laws affecting
	counties, including the open meetings and open records laws under
	Chapters 551 and 552.
	(j)  Medina County is entitled to receive from the state an
	amount equal to the amount provided in the General Appropriations
	Act to district attorneys for the payment of staff salaries and
	office expenses.
	(k)  The legislature may provide for additional staff
	members to be paid from state funds if it considers supplementation
	of the criminal district attorney's staff to be necessary.
	(l)  The criminal district attorney and assistant criminal
	district attorney may not engage in the private practice of law or
	receive a fee for the referral of a case.
	(d)  Effective January 1, 2021, the office of county attorney
	of Medina County is abolished.
	(e)  Notwithstanding Section 41.010, Government Code, the
	initial vacancy in the office of the criminal district attorney of
	Medina County shall be filled by election. The office of the
	criminal district attorney of Medina County exists for purposes of
	the primary and general elections in 2020. The qualified voters of
	Medina County shall elect the initial criminal district attorney of
	Medina County at the general election in 2020 for a four-year term
	of office.
	(f)  The criminal district attorney of Medina County retains
	all powers, duties, and privileges in Medina County that were
	previously held by the office of the district attorney of the 38th
	Judicial District and the office of the county attorney of Medina
	County, including all powers, duties, and privileges in all pending
	matters of the county and district attorney and all pending matters
	before any court.
	SECTION 6.04.  Subchapter B, Chapter 45, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 45.126 to read as follows:
	Sec. 45.126.  BURLESON COUNTY. In Burleson County, the
	county attorney of Burleson County shall perform the duties imposed
	on and have the powers conferred on district attorneys by general
	law and is entitled to be compensated by the state in the manner and
	amount set by general law relating to the salary paid to district
	attorneys by the state.
	SECTION 6.05.  Effective September 1, 2019, Section 46.002,
	Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 46.002.  PROSECUTORS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER. This chapter
	applies to the state prosecuting attorney, all county prosecutors,
	and the following state prosecutors:
	(1)  the district attorneys for Kenedy and Kleberg
	Counties and for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 24th,
	26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th,
	42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 63rd, 64th,
	66th, 69th, 70th, 76th, 79th, 81st, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 88th, 90th,
	97th, 100th, 105th, 106th, 109th, 110th, 112th, 118th, 119th,
	123rd, 132nd, 142nd, 143rd, 145th, 156th, 159th, 173rd, 196th,
	198th, 216th, 220th, 229th, 235th, 253rd, 258th, 259th, 266th,
	268th, 271st, 286th, 287th, 329th, 344th, 349th, 355th, 369th,
	452nd, and 506th judicial districts;
	(2)  the criminal district attorneys for the counties
	of Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell,
	Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland,
	Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo,
	Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison,
	Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San Jacinto,
	Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker,
	Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum; and
	(3)  the county attorneys performing the duties of
	district attorneys in the counties of Andrews, Aransas, Burleson,
	Callahan, Cameron, Castro, Colorado, Crosby, Ellis, Falls,
	Freestone, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca,
	Lee, Limestone, Marion, Milam, Morris, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange,
	Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, Swisher, Terry, Webb, and
	Willacy.
	SECTION 6.06.  Effective January 1, 2021, Section 46.002,
	Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 46.002.  PROSECUTORS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER. This chapter
	applies to the state prosecuting attorney, all county prosecutors,
	and the following state prosecutors:
	(1)  the district attorneys for Kenedy and Kleberg
	Counties and for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 24th,
	26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th,
	42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 63rd, 64th,
	66th, 69th, 70th, 76th, 79th, 81st, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 88th, 90th,
	97th, 100th, 105th, 106th, 109th, 110th, 112th, 118th, 119th,
	123rd, 132nd, 142nd, 143rd, 145th, 156th, 159th, 173rd, 196th,
	198th, 216th, 220th, 229th, 235th, 253rd, 258th, 259th, 266th,
	268th, 271st, 286th, 287th, 329th, 344th, 349th, 355th, 369th,
	452nd, and 506th judicial districts;
	(2)  the criminal district attorneys for the counties
	of Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell,
	Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland,
	Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo,
	Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison,
	Medina, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San
	Jacinto, Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt,
	Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum; and
	(3)  the county attorneys performing the duties of
	district attorneys in the counties of Andrews, Aransas, Burleson,
	Callahan, Cameron, Castro, Colorado, Crosby, Ellis, Falls,
	Freestone, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas, Lavaca,
	Lee, Limestone, Marion, Milam, Morris, Ochiltree, Oldham, Orange,
	Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, Swisher, Terry, Webb, and
	Willacy.
	ARTICLE 7. COURT REPORTERS AND BAILIFFS
	SECTION 7.01.  Section 322.003, Business & Commerce Code, is
	amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to
	read as follows:
	(a)  Except as otherwise provided in Subsections
	[Subsection] (b) and (e), this chapter applies to electronic
	records and electronic signatures relating to a transaction.
	(e)  This chapter does not apply to the transmission,
	preparation, completion, enforceability, or admissibility of a
	document in any form that is:
	(1)  produced by a court reporter appointed under
	Chapter 52, Government Code, or a court reporter certified under or
	a shorthand reporting firm registered under Chapter 154, Government
	Code, for use in the state or federal judicial system; or
	(2)  governed by rules adopted by the supreme court,
	including rules governing the electronic filing system established
	by the supreme court.
	SECTION 7.02.  Subchapter B, Chapter 51, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 51.017 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 51.017.  SERVICE OF NOTICE ON COURT REPORTER. (a)  In
	addition to requirements for service of notice of appeal imposed by
	Rule 25.1(e), Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, notice of appeal,
	including an interlocutory appeal, must be served on each court
	reporter responsible for preparing the reporter's record.
	(b)  Notwithstanding Section 22.004, Government Code, the
	supreme court may not amend or adopt rules in conflict with this
	section.
	SECTION 7.03.  Chapter 52, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER B. DUTIES OF SHORTHAND REPORTING FIRMS
	Sec. 52.011.  PROVISION OF SIGNED CERTIFICATION. On request
	of a court reporter who reported a deposition, a court reporting
	firm shall provide the reporter with a copy of the 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.
	SECTION 7.04.  Section 53.002(d), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  The judges of the 15th, [and] 59th, and 397th district
	courts and the judges of the statutory county courts in Grayson
	County may each appoint a bailiff.
	SECTION 7.05.  Section 53.004(c), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(c)  A bailiff in the 15th, [or] 59th, or 397th district
	court or a statutory county court in Grayson County must be a
	citizen of the United States [and a resident of Grayson County].
	SECTION 7.06.  Section 53.009(g), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(g)  Each bailiff appointed by a judge of the 15th, [or]
	59th, or 397th district court or appointed by a statutory county
	court judge in Grayson County is entitled to receive from the county
	a salary set by the judge within the budget guidelines established
	by the Commissioners Court of Grayson County [equal to the salary of
	a jailer employed by the Grayson County sheriff].
	SECTION 7.07.  Section 154.001(a), Government Code, is
	amended by adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (3-a) to read as follows:
	(1-a)  "Apprentice court reporter" means a person to
	whom an apprentice court reporter certification is issued as
	authorized by Section 154.1011.
	(3-a)  "Provisional court reporter" means a court
	reporter to whom a provisional certification is issued as
	authorized by Section 154.1011.
	SECTION 7.08.  Sections 154.101(b), (c), and (e), Government
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A person may not engage in shorthand reporting in this
	state unless the person is certified as:
	(1)  a shorthand reporter by the supreme court under
	this section; or
	(2)  an apprentice court reporter or provisional court
	reporter certified as authorized by Section 154.1011, subject to
	the terms of the person's certification.
	(c)  A certification issued under this section [chapter]
	must be for one or more of the following methods of shorthand
	reporting:
	(1)  written shorthand;
	(2)  machine shorthand;
	(3)  oral stenography; or
	(4)  any other method of shorthand reporting authorized
	by the supreme court.
	(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 7.09.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 154, Government
	Code, is amended by adding Sections 154.1011 and 154.1012 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 154.1011.  APPRENTICE COURT REPORTER AND PROVISIONAL
	COURT REPORTER CERTIFICATIONS. (a)  Subject to Section 152.101,
	the commission by rule may provide for:
	(1)  the certification of an apprentice court reporter
	who may engage in court reporting only:
	(A)  under the direct supervision of a certified
	court reporter; and
	(B)  for the types of legal proceedings authorized
	by commission rule; and
	(2)  the provisional certification of a court reporter,
	including a court reporter described by Section 154.1012(f), that
	allows a person to engage in court reporting only in accordance with
	the terms and for the period expressly authorized by commission
	rule.
	(b)  Rules adopted under Subsection (a) may allow for the
	issuance of a certification under Section 154.101 to:
	(1)  a certified apprentice court reporter who
	satisfactorily completes the apprenticeship and passes Part A of
	the examination required by Section 154.103; or
	(2)  a court reporter who holds a provisional
	certification on the reporter's completion of the terms of the
	commission's conditional approval.
	Sec. 154.1012.  RECIPROCITY. (a)  The commission may waive
	any prerequisite to obtaining a court reporter certification for an
	applicant after reviewing the applicant's credentials and
	determining the applicant holds a certification or license issued
	by another jurisdiction that has certification or licensing
	requirements substantially equivalent to those of this state.
	(b)  The commission shall develop and periodically update on
	a schedule established by the commission a list of states that have
	certification or licensing requirements for court reporters
	substantially equivalent to those of this state.
	(c)  The commission shall certify to the supreme court the
	name of each qualified applicant who:
	(1)  holds a certification or license to engage in
	court reporting issued by another state that, as determined by the
	commission:
	(A)  has certification or licensing requirements
	to engage in court reporting that are substantially equivalent to
	the requirements of this state for a court reporter governed by this
	chapter and Chapter 52; or
	(B)  is included on the list developed by the
	commission under Subsection (b); and
	(2)  before certification in this state:
	(A)  passes Part B of the examination required by
	Section 154.103; and
	(B)  provides proof acceptable to the commission
	that the applicant has been actively performing court reporting in
	another jurisdiction for at least three of the preceding five
	years.
	(d)  A reciprocity agreement approved by the supreme court
	under Section 152.202(b) must require an applicant who holds a
	certification or license to engage in court reporting issued by
	another state and who applies for certification as a court reporter
	in this state to:
	(1)  pass Part B of the examination required by Section
	154.103;
	(2)  provide proof acceptable to the commission that
	the applicant has been actively performing court reporting in
	another jurisdiction for at least three of the preceding five
	years; and
	(3)  hold a certification or license that the
	commission determines is at least equivalent to the registered
	professional reporter designation or similar designation.
	(e)  A person who applies for certification as a court
	reporter in this state and meets the requirements under Subsection
	(c) is not required to meet the requirement under Subsection
	(d)(3).
	(f)  Subject to Section 152.101, the commission may adopt
	rules requiring the issuance of a provisional certification under
	Section 154.1011 to an applicant described by Subsection (c) or (d)
	that authorizes the applicant to serve as a court reporter in this
	state for a limited time and under conditions the commission
	considers reasonably necessary to protect the public interest.
	(b)  In developing rules under Section 154.1011, Government
	Code, as added by this section, the Judicial Branch Certification
	Commission shall:
	(1)  establish a stakeholder work group to receive
	input; and
	(2)  solicit comments from the Texas Court Reporters
	Association, the Texas Deposition Reporters Association, court
	reporting schools, and other interested parties.
	(c)  Not later than June 1, 2020, the Judicial Branch
	Certification Commission shall develop the list required by Section
	154.1012(b), Government Code, as added by this section.
	(d)  Not later than January 1, 2020, the Judicial Branch
	Certification Commission shall communicate with the appropriate
	regulatory officials in each state to inquire whether the state
	desires to enter into a reciprocity agreement with this state as
	authorized by Section 152.202(b), Government Code. Not later than
	April 1, 2020, the commission shall submit a report on the results
	of the inquiry to the Texas Supreme Court or the court's designee.
	SECTION 7.10.  Section 154.102, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 154.102.  APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION. If applicable,
	a [A] person seeking certification must file an application for
	examination with the commission not later than the 30th day before
	the date fixed for the examination. The application must be
	accompanied by the required fee.
	SECTION 7.11.  Section 154.104, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 154.104.  CERTIFICATION TO SUPREME COURT. (a)  The
	commission shall certify to the supreme court the name of each
	qualified applicant for certification under Section 154.101 who has
	passed the examination.
	(b)  The commission shall certify to the supreme court the
	name of each applicant who meets the qualifications for
	certification as:
	(1)  an apprentice court reporter; or
	(2)  a provisional court reporter.
	SECTION 7.12.  Section 154.105(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  On certification under Section 154.101 or as a
	provisional court reporter, a shorthand reporter may use the title
	"Certified Shorthand Reporter" or the abbreviation "CSR."
	SECTION 7.13.  Section 154.107, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
	(d)  Notwithstanding Section 152.2015 and Subsection (c) of
	this section, a shorthand reporting firm shall pay a registration
	or renewal fee in an amount equal to the fee for court reporter
	certification under Section 154.101 in lieu of the fee required for
	a shorthand reporting firm registration if a certified court
	reporter of the firm:
	(1)  has an ownership interest in the firm of more than
	50 percent; and
	(2)  maintains actual control of the firm.
	SECTION 7.14.  Subchapter C, Chapter 154, Government Code,
	is amended by adding Section 154.108 to read as follows:
	Sec. 154.108.  CONTINUING EDUCATION. Subject to Section
	152.101, the commission by rule shall require each court reporter
	who holds a certification issued by the commission and at least one
	person who has management responsibility for a shorthand reporting
	firm registered in this state to complete continuing professional
	education.
	SECTION 7.15.  Section 154.110(a), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  After receiving a complaint and giving the certified
	shorthand reporter notice and an opportunity for a hearing as
	prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 153, the commission shall
	revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew the shorthand reporter's
	certification or issue a reprimand to the reporter for:
	(1)  fraud or corruption;
	(2)  dishonesty;
	(3)  wilful or negligent violation or failure of duty;
	(4)  incompetence;
	(5)  fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining
	certification;
	(6)  a final conviction of a felony or misdemeanor that
	directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of a certified
	shorthand reporter, as determined by supreme court rules;
	(7)  engaging in the practice of shorthand reporting
	using a method for which the reporter is not certified;
	(8)  engaging in the practice of shorthand reporting
	while certification is suspended;
	(9)  unprofessional conduct, including giving directly
	or indirectly, benefiting from, or being employed as a result of any
	gift, incentive, reward, or anything of value to attorneys,
	clients, or their representatives or agents, except for nominal
	items that do not exceed $100 in the aggregate for each recipient
	each year;
	(10)  entering into or providing services under a
	prohibited contract described by Section 154.115; or
	(11)  committing any other act that violates this
	chapter or a rule or provision of the code of ethics adopted under
	this subtitle[; or
	[(12)  other sufficient cause].
	SECTION 7.16.  (a)  Section 154.111, Government Code, is
	amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection
	(g) to read as follows:
	(a)  After receiving a complaint and giving the shorthand
	reporting firm or affiliate office notice and an opportunity for a
	hearing as prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 153, the commission
	shall reprimand, assess a reasonable fine against, or suspend,
	revoke, or refuse to renew the registration of a shorthand
	reporting firm or affiliate office for:
	(1)  fraud or corruption;
	(2)  dishonesty;
	(3)  conduct on the part of an officer, director, or
	managerial employee of the shorthand reporting firm or affiliate
	office if the officer, director, or managerial employee orders,
	encourages, or permits conduct that the officer, director, or
	managerial employee knows or should have known violates this
	subtitle;
	(4)  conduct on the part of an officer, director, or
	managerial employee or agent of the shorthand reporting firm or
	affiliate office who has direct supervisory authority over a person
	for whom the officer, director, employee, or agent knows or should
	have known violated this subtitle and knowingly fails to take
	reasonable remedial action to avoid or mitigate the consequences of
	the person's actions;
	(5)  fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining
	registration;
	(6)  a final conviction of an officer, director, or
	managerial employee of a shorthand reporting firm or affiliate
	office for a felony or misdemeanor that is directly related to the
	provision of court reporting services, as determined by supreme
	court rules;
	(7)  engaging the services of a reporter that the
	shorthand reporting firm or affiliate office knew or should have
	known was using a method for which the reporter is not certified;
	(8)  knowingly providing court reporting services
	while the shorthand reporting firm's or affiliate office's
	registration is suspended or engaging the services of a shorthand
	reporter whose certification the shorthand reporting firm or
	affiliate office knew or should have known was suspended;
	(9)  unprofessional conduct, including:
	(A)  [a pattern of] giving directly or indirectly
	or benefiting from or being employed as a result of giving any gift,
	incentive, reward, or anything of value to attorneys, clients, or
	their representatives or agents, except for nominal items that do
	not exceed $100 in the aggregate for each recipient each year; or
	(B)  repeatedly committing to provide at a
	specific time and location court reporting services for an attorney
	in connection with a legal proceeding and unreasonably failing to
	fulfill the commitment under the terms of that commitment;
	(10)  entering into or providing services under a
	prohibited contract described by Section 154.115; or
	(11)  committing any other act that violates this
	chapter or a rule or provision of the code of ethics adopted under
	this subtitle[; or
	[(12)  other sufficient cause].
	(b)  Nothing in Subsection (a)(9)(A) [(a)(9)] shall be
	construed to define providing value-added business services,
	including long-term volume discounts, such as the pricing of
	products and services, as prohibited gifts, incentives, or rewards.
	(g)  The commission by rule shall define the conditions under
	which a shorthand reporting firm's or affiliate office's repeated
	failure to fulfill a commitment to provide court reporting services
	as described by Subsection (a)(9)(B) is considered unprofessional
	conduct and grounds for disciplinary action.
	(b)  In developing rules under Section 154.111(g),
	Government Code, as added by this section, the Judicial Branch
	Certification Commission shall:
	(1)  establish a stakeholder work group to receive
	input; and
	(2)  solicit comments from the Texas Court Reporters
	Association, the Texas Deposition Reporters Association, court
	reporting schools, and other interested parties.
	SECTION 7.17.  Section 154.113, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
	(a-1)  A person commits an offense if the person provides
	shorthand reporting firm services in this state in violation of
	Section 154.106.  Each day of violation constitutes a separate
	offense.
	SECTION 7.18.  Section 154.115, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 154.115.  PROHIBITED CONTRACTS. (a)  A court reporter
	or shorthand reporting firm may not enter into or provide services
	under any contractual agreement, written or oral, exclusive or
	nonexclusive, that:
	(1)  undermines the impartiality of the court reporter;
	(2)  requires a court reporter to relinquish control of
	an original deposition transcript and copies of the transcript
	before it is certified and delivered to the custodial attorney;
	(3)  requires a court reporter to provide any service
	not made available to all parties to an action; [or]
	(4)  gives or appears to give an exclusive advantage to
	any party; or
	(5)  restricts an attorney's choice in the selection of
	a court reporter or shorthand reporting firm.
	(b)  Subsections (a)(2) and (3) do [This section does] not
	apply to a contract for court reporting services for a court,
	agency, or instrumentality of the United States or this state.
	ARTICLE 8. JUVENILE BOARDS
	SECTION 8.01.  Section 152.0811, Human Resources Code, is
	amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections
	(a-1) and (d) to read as follows:
	(a)  The juvenile board of Fayette County is composed of:
	(1)  the county judge;
	(2)  [and] the judge of each [a] district court in
	Fayette County;
	(3)  the judge of each statutory county court in
	Fayette County; and
	(4)  a public member only if the total number of board
	members described by Subdivisions (1)-(3) is fewer than three or is
	an even number [as determined by the commissioners court].
	(a-1)  A public member who serves on the board must be
	appointed by a majority of the other members of the board.  The
	public member serves a two-year term.
	(b)  The commissioners court may pay the juvenile board
	members [additional annual] compensation of [not more than] $1,200
	annually for the [added] duties imposed on the members. The
	[additional] compensation shall be paid in equal monthly
	installments from the general fund or any other available fund of
	the county.
	(d)  The board member who has the greatest number of years of
	judicial service and is willing to serve is the chair of the board.
	SECTION 8.02.  Section 152.0941, Human Resources Code, is
	amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (d) to
	read as follows:
	(c)  Sections 152.0002, 152.0004, and 152.0005[, 152.0006,
	152.0007, and 152.0008] do not apply to the juvenile board of Goliad
	County.
	(d)  The juvenile board of Goliad County and the juvenile
	boards of one or more counties that are adjacent to or in close
	proximity to Goliad County may agree to operate together with
	respect to all matters, or with respect to certain matters
	specified by the juvenile boards.  Juvenile boards operating
	together may appoint one fiscal officer to receive and disburse
	funds for the boards.
	SECTION 8.03.  Section 152.0991(a), Human Resources Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The juvenile board of Grimes County is composed of the
	county judge, [and] the district judges in Grimes County, and the
	judge of each county court at law in the county.
	SECTION 8.04.  Section 152.2411, Human Resources Code, is
	amended by amending Subsections (b) and (f) and adding Subsection
	(g) to read as follows:
	(b)  The juvenile board shall elect one of its members as
	[court judge is the] chairman of the board [and its chief
	administrative officer].
	(f)  Sections 152.0002, 152.0004, and 152.0005[, 152.0006,
	152.0007, and 152.0008] do not apply to the juvenile board of
	Victoria County.
	(g)  The juvenile board of Victoria County and the juvenile
	boards of one or more counties that are adjacent to or in close
	proximity to Victoria County may agree to operate together with
	respect to all matters, or with respect to certain matters
	specified by the juvenile boards.  Juvenile boards operating
	together may appoint one fiscal officer to receive and disburse
	funds for the boards.
	ARTICLE 9. THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION OF THE TEXAS JUDICIAL
	SYSTEM
	SECTION 9.01.  (a)  Section 22A.002(d), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(d)  The comptroller [Office of Court Administration of the
	Texas Judicial System] shall pay from funds appropriated to the
	comptroller's judiciary section the travel expenses and other
	incidental costs related to convening a special three-judge
	district court under this chapter.
	(b)  The change in law made by this section applies only to a
	travel expense or other incidental cost incurred on or after the
	effective date of this Act.  A travel expense or other incidental
	cost incurred before the effective date of this Act is governed by
	the law in effect on the date the travel expense or other incidental
	cost was incurred, and the former law is continued in effect for
	that purpose.
	SECTION 9.02.  (a)  Sections 51.607(a) and (b), Government
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Following each regular session of the legislature, the
	Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System
	[comptroller] shall identify each law enacted by that legislature,
	other than a law disapproved by the governor, that imposes or
	changes the amount of a court cost or fee collected by the clerk of a
	district, county, statutory county, municipal, or justice court
	from a party to a civil case or a defendant in a criminal case,
	including a filing or docketing fee, jury fee, cost on conviction,
	or fee or charge for services or to cover the expenses of a public
	official or agency.  This subsection does not apply to attorney's
	fees, civil or criminal fines or penalties, or amounts charged,
	paid, or collected on behalf of another party to a proceeding other
	than the state in a criminal case, including restitution or
	damages.
	(b)  The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
	System [comptroller] shall prepare a list of each court cost or fee
	covered by Subsection (a) to be imposed or changed and shall publish
	the list in the Texas Register not later than August 1 after the end
	of the regular session of the legislature at which the law imposing
	or changing the amount of the cost or fee was enacted.  The office
	[comptroller] shall include with the list a statement describing
	the operation of this section and stating the date the imposition or
	change in the amount of the court cost or fee will take effect under
	Subsection (c).
	(b)  The change in law made by this section applies only to a
	law imposing or changing the amount of a court cost or fee that
	takes effect on or after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 9.03.  Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 72.033 and 72.034 to read as follows:
	Sec. 72.033.  LIST OF NEW OR AMENDED COURT COSTS AND FEES.
	The office biennially shall prepare and publish a list of new or
	amended court costs and fees as required by Section 51.607.
	Sec. 72.034.  PUBLIC INFORMATION INTERNET WEBSITE. (a)  In
	this section:
	(1)  "Public information" means citation, other
	related public or legal notice that a person, including a party to a
	cause of action, is required to publish under a statute or rule, and
	any other information that the person submits for publication on
	the public information Internet website to effectuate service of
	citation by publication.
	(2)  "Public information Internet website" means the
	official statewide Internet website developed and maintained by the
	office under this section for the purpose of providing citation by
	publication.
	(b)  The office shall develop and maintain a public
	information Internet website that allows a person to easily publish
	public information on the Internet website or the office to post
	public information on the Internet website on receipt from the
	person.
	(c)  The public information Internet website shall allow the
	public to easily access, search, and sort the public information.
	(d)  The supreme court by rule shall establish procedures for
	the submission of public information to the public information
	Internet website by a person who is required to publish the
	information.
	SECTION 9.04.  (a)  The Texas Supreme Court shall adopt the
	rules necessary to implement Section 72.034, Government Code, as
	added by this article, not later than June 1, 2020.
	(b)  The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
	System shall develop the public information Internet website for
	the purposes of providing citation by publication as required by
	Section 72.034, Government Code, as added by this article, not
	later than June 1, 2020.
	SECTION 9.05.  Section 121.002, Government Code, is amended
	by amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsections (f) and
	(g) to read as follows:
	(c)  Notwithstanding any other law, a specialty court
	program may not operate until the judge, magistrate, or
	coordinator:
	(1)  provides to the Office of Court Administration of
	the Texas Judicial System [criminal justice division of the
	governor's office]:
	(A)  written notice of the program;
	(B)  any resolution or other official declaration
	under which the program was established; and
	(C)  a copy of the applicable strategic plan that
	incorporates duties related to supervision that will be required
	under the program; and
	(2)  receives from the office [division] written
	verification of the program's compliance with Subdivision (1).
	(d)  A specialty court program shall:
	(1)  comply with all programmatic best practices
	recommended by the Specialty Courts Advisory Council under Section
	772.0061(b)(2) and approved by the Texas Judicial Council; and
	(2)  report to the criminal justice division of the
	governor's office and the Texas Judicial Council any information
	required by the division or council regarding the performance of
	the program.
	(f)  The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
	System shall:
	(1)  on request provide technical assistance to the
	specialty court programs;
	(2)  coordinate with an entity funded by the criminal
	justice division of the governor's office that provides services to
	specialty court programs;
	(3)  monitor the specialty court programs for
	compliance with programmatic best practices as required by
	Subsection (d)(1); and
	(4)  notify the criminal justice division of the
	governor's office if a specialty court program fails to comply with
	programmatic best practices as required by Subsection (d)(1).
	(g)  The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
	System shall coordinate with and provide information to the
	criminal justice division of the governor's office on request of
	the division.
	SECTION 9.06.  (a)  The Office of Court Administration of
	the Texas Judicial System shall contract with the National Center
	for State Courts to conduct a study of the caseloads of the district
	and statutory county courts in this state. The study must
	concentrate on the weighted caseload of each court, considering the
	nature and complexity of the cases heard.
	(b)  Not later than December 1, 2020, the National Center for
	State Courts shall report the results of the study required by
	Subsection (a) of this section to the Office of Court
	Administration of the Texas Judicial System. Not later than
	January 1, 2021, the office shall file a report on those results
	with the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
	house of representatives, and the chairs of the standing committees
	of the senate and house of representatives with jurisdiction over
	the judicial system.
	ARTICLE 10. ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION, SERVICE, AND DISPLAY OF LEGAL
	DOCUMENTS
	SECTION 10.01.  Sections 9.160(a), (b), and (c), Business
	Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Section 17.032, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, if [If] process in an action under this subchapter is
	returned not found, the attorney general shall publish notice on
	the public information Internet website maintained as required by
	Section 72.034, Government Code, and in a newspaper in the county in
	which the registered office of the foreign filing entity in this
	state is located.  The notice must contain:
	(1)  a statement of the pendency of the action;
	(2)  the title of the court;
	(3)  the title of the action; and
	(4)  the earliest date on which default judgment may be
	entered by the court.
	(b)  Notice under this section must be published on the
	public information Internet website for at least two consecutive
	weeks and in a newspaper at least once a week for two consecutive
	weeks.  Notice may be published [beginning] at any time after the
	citation has been returned.
	(c)  The attorney general may include in a [one] published
	notice the name of each foreign filing entity against which an
	action for involuntary revocation is pending in the same court.
	SECTION 10.02.  Sections 11.310(a) and (b), Business
	Organizations Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Section 17.032, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, if [If] process in an action under this subchapter is
	returned not found, the attorney general shall publish notice on
	the public information Internet website maintained as required by
	Section 72.034, Government Code, and in a newspaper in the county in
	which the registered office of the filing entity in this state is
	located.  The notice must contain:
	(1)  a statement of the pendency of the action;
	(2)  the title of the court;
	(3)  the title of the action; and
	(4)  the earliest date on which default judgment may be
	entered by the court.
	(b)  Notice under this section must be published on the
	public information Internet website for at least two consecutive
	weeks and in a newspaper at least once a week for two consecutive
	weeks.  Notice may be published [beginning] at any time after the
	citation has been returned.
	SECTION 10.03.  Subchapter B, Chapter 17, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 17.032 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 17.032.  CITATION BY PUBLICATION.
	(a)  Notwithstanding any statute or rule requiring a person to
	publish citation or notice on the public information Internet
	website maintained as required by Section 72.034, Government Code,
	and in a newspaper of general circulation, the person may publish
	the citation or notice only on the public information Internet
	website if:
	(1)  the person files a statement of inability to
	afford payment of court costs under the Texas Rules of Civil
	Procedure;
	(2)  the total cost of the required publication exceeds
	the greater of $200 each week or the amount set by the supreme court
	under Subsection (b); or
	(3)  the county in which the publication of the
	citation or notice is required does not have any newspaper
	published, printed, or generally circulated in the county.
	(b)  The supreme court shall adjust for inflation the maximum
	amount of publication costs established in Subsection (a)(2).
	SECTION 10.04.  (a)  Subchapter B, Chapter 17, Civil
	Practice and Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 17.033 to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 17.033.  SUBSTITUTED SERVICE THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
	PRESENCE. (a)  If substituted service of citation is authorized
	under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, the court, in accordance
	with the rules adopted by the supreme court under Subsection (b),
	may prescribe as a method of service an electronic communication
	sent to the defendant through a social media presence.
	(b)  The supreme court shall adopt rules to provide for the
	substituted service of citation by an electronic communication sent
	to a defendant through a social media presence.
	(b)  The Texas Supreme Court shall adopt rules under Section
	17.033, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as added by this section,
	not later than December 31, 2020.
	(c)  Section 17.033, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as
	added by this section, applies only to an action commenced on or
	after the effective date of the rules adopted by the Supreme Court
	of Texas under that section.
	SECTION 10.05.  Sections 51.054(a) and (b), Estates Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Section 17.032, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, citation [Citation] or notice to a person to be
	served by publication shall be published one time on the public
	information Internet website maintained as required by Section
	72.034, Government Code, and in a newspaper of general circulation
	in the county in which the proceeding is pending.  The publication
	must be made at least 10 days before the return day of the service,
	excluding the date of publication.
	(b)  The date of service of citation or notice by publication
	is the earlier of:
	(1)  the date the citation or notice is published on the
	public information Internet website under Subsection (a); or
	(2)  the date of publication printed on the newspaper
	in which the citation or notice is published.
	SECTION 10.06.  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)  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; and
	(B)[,]  an affidavit:
	(i) [(A)]  made by the publisher of the
	newspaper in which the citation or notice was published or an
	employee of the publisher;
	(ii) [(B)]  that contains or to which is
	attached a copy of the published citation or notice; and
	(iii) [(C)]  that states the date of
	publication printed on the newspaper in which the citation or
	notice was published.
	SECTION 10.07.  Sections 1051.054(a) and (b), Estates Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Section 17.032, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, citation [Citation] or notice to a person to be
	served by publication shall be published one time on the public
	information Internet website maintained as required by Section
	72.034, Government Code, and in a newspaper of general circulation
	in the county in which the proceeding is pending.  The publication
	must be made at least 10 days before the return day of the citation
	or notice, excluding the date of publication.
	(b)  The date of service of citation or notice by publication
	is the earlier of:
	(1)  the date the citation or notice is published on the
	public information Internet website under Subsection (a); or
	(2)  the date of publication printed on the newspaper
	in which the citation or notice is published.
	SECTION 10.08.  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)  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; and
	(B)  [,] an affidavit that:
	(i) [(A)]  is made by the publisher of the
	newspaper in which the citation or notice was published or an
	employee of the publisher;
	(ii) [(B)]  contains or to which is attached
	a copy of the published citation or notice; and
	(iii) [(C)]  states the date of publication
	printed on the newspaper in which the citation or notice was
	published.
	SECTION 10.09.  Section 3.305, Family Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 3.305.  CITATION BY PUBLICATION. (a)  Except as
	provided by Section 17.032, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, if
	[If] the residence of the respondent, other than a respondent
	reported to be a prisoner of war or missing on public service, is
	unknown, citation shall be published on the public information
	Internet website maintained as required by Section 72.034,
	Government Code, and in a newspaper of general circulation
	published in the county in which the petition was filed.  [If that
	county has no newspaper of general circulation, citation shall be
	published in a newspaper of general circulation in an adjacent
	county or in the nearest county in which a newspaper of general
	circulation is published.]
	(b)  The notice shall be published on the public information
	Internet website for at least two consecutive weeks before the
	hearing and in a newspaper once a week for two consecutive weeks
	before the hearing.  Neither[, but the first] notice may [not] be
	initially published after the 20th day before the date set for the
	hearing.
	SECTION 10.10.  Sections 102.010(a), (b), and (e), Family
	Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Section 17.032, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, citation [Citation] may be served [by publication as
	in other civil cases] to persons entitled to service of citation who
	cannot be notified by personal service or registered or certified
	mail and to persons whose names are unknown by publication on the
	public information Internet website maintained as required by
	Section 72.034, Government Code, and in a newspaper of general
	circulation published in the county in which the petition was
	filed.
	(b)  Citation by publication shall be published not later
	than the 20th day before the date set for the hearing [one time].
	[If the name of a person entitled to service of citation is unknown,
	the notice to be published shall be addressed to "All Whom It May
	Concern."] One or more causes to be heard on a certain day may be
	included in one notice and hearings may be continued from time to
	time without further notice.
	(e)  In a suit filed under Chapter 161 or 262 in which the
	last name of the respondent is unknown, the court may order
	substituted service of citation by publication, including
	publication by posting the citation at the courthouse door for a
	specified time, if the court finds and states in its order that the
	method of substituted service is as likely as citation by
	publication on the public information Internet website maintained
	as required by Section 72.034, Government Code, or in a newspaper in
	the manner described by Subsection (b) to give the respondent
	actual notice of the suit.  If the court orders that citation by
	publication shall be completed by posting the citation at the
	courthouse door for a specified time, service must be completed on,
	and the answer date is computed from, the expiration date of the
	posting period.  If the court orders another method of substituted
	service of citation by publication, service shall be completed as
	directed by the court.
	SECTION 10.11.  Effective September 1, 2019, Subchapter D,
	Chapter 51, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 51.3032
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.3032.  ELECTRONIC DISPLAY OF OFFICIAL AND LEGAL
	NOTICES BY DISTRICT CLERK. A district clerk may post an official
	and legal notice by electronic display, instead of posting a
	physical document, in the manner provided for a county clerk by
	Section 82.051, Local Government Code.
	SECTION 10.12.  Section 715.006(c), Health and Safety Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  Except as provided by Section 17.032, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, if [If] the address or identity of a plot owner is
	not known and cannot be ascertained with reasonable diligence,
	service by publication shall be made on the plot owner by publishing
	notice on the public information Internet website maintained as
	required by Section 72.034, Government Code, and at least three
	times in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which
	the cemetery is located.  [If there is not a newspaper of general
	circulation in the county in which the cemetery is located, the
	notice may be published in a newspaper of general circulation in an
	adjoining county.]
	SECTION 10.13.  Except as otherwise provided by this
	article, this article takes effect June 1, 2020.
	ARTICLE 11. NOTARIZATION REQUIREMENTS
	SECTION 11.01.  Section 31.008(d), Family Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(d)  The [Notwithstanding Section 132.001, Civil Practice
	and Remedies Code, the] waiver must be sworn before a notary public
	who is not an attorney in the suit or conform to the requirements
	for an unsworn declaration under Section 132.001, Civil Practice
	and Remedies Code.  This subsection does not apply if the party
	executing the waiver is incarcerated.
	SECTION 11.02.  Section 45.107(d), Family Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(d)  The [Notwithstanding Section 132.001, Civil Practice
	and Remedies Code, the] waiver must be sworn before a notary public
	who is not an attorney in the suit or conform to the requirements
	for an unsworn declaration under Section 132.001, Civil Practice
	and Remedies Code.  This subsection does not apply if the party
	executing the waiver is incarcerated.
	ARTICLE 12.  COURT GRANT PROGRAMS
	SECTION 12.01.  Section 22.017, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 22.017.  GRANTS BY COMMISSIONS ESTABLISHED BY SUPREME
	COURT [FOR CHILD PROTECTION].  (a)  In this section:
	(1)  [,] "Children's commission" means the Permanent
	Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families established by
	the supreme court.
	(2)  "Mental health commission" means the Texas
	Judicial Commission on Mental Health established by the supreme
	court.
	(b)  The children's commission shall develop and administer
	a program to provide grants from available funds for initiatives
	that will:
	(1)  improve well-being, safety, and permanency
	outcomes in child protection cases; or
	(2)  [,] enhance due process for the parties[,] or
	[increase] the timeliness of resolution in [child protection] cases
	involving the welfare of a child.
	(c)  The children's commission may develop and administer a
	program to provide grants from available funds for:
	(1)  initiatives designed to prevent or minimize the
	involvement of children in the juvenile justice system or promote
	the rehabilitation of children involved in the juvenile justice
	system; and
	(2)  any other initiatives identified by the children's
	commission or the supreme court to improve the administration of
	justice for children.
	(d)  To be eligible for a grant administered by the
	children's commission under this section, a prospective recipient
	must:
	(1)  use the grant money to:
	(A)  improve well-being, safety, or permanency
	outcomes in child protection cases;
	(B)  [,] enhance due process for the parties or
	the[, or increase] timeliness of resolution in [child protection]
	cases involving the welfare of a child;
	(C)  prevent or minimize the involvement of
	children in the juvenile justice system or promote the
	rehabilitation of children involved in the juvenile justice system;
	or
	(D)  accomplish any other initiatives identified
	by the children's commission or the supreme court to improve the
	administration of justice for children; and
	(2)  apply for the grant in accordance with procedures
	developed by the children's commission and comply with any other
	requirements of the supreme court.
	(e)  The mental health commission may develop and administer
	a program to provide grants from available funds for initiatives
	that will improve the administration of justice for individuals
	with mental health needs or an intellectual or developmental
	disability.
	(f)  To be eligible for a grant administered by the mental
	health commission under this section, a prospective recipient must:
	(1)  use the grant money to improve the administration
	of justice for individuals with mental health needs or an
	intellectual or developmental disability; and
	(2)  apply for the grant in accordance with procedures
	developed by the mental health commission and comply with any other
	requirements of the supreme court.
	(g) [(d)]  If the children's commission or the mental health
	commission awards a grant under this section, the commission
	administering the grant shall:
	(1)  direct the comptroller to distribute the grant
	money; and
	(2)  monitor the use of the grant money.
	(h) [(e)]  The children's commission and the mental health
	commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations for purposes of
	this section.  [The commission may not use state funds to provide a
	grant under this section or to administer the grant program.]
	ARTICLE 13.  CASES BROUGHT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL
	SECTION 13.01.  Section 231.103(a), Family Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(a)  The Title IV-D agency may:
	(1)  charge a reasonable application fee;
	(2)  charge a $35 [$25] annual service fee; and
	(3)  to the extent permitted by federal law, recover
	costs for the services provided in a Title IV-D case.
	SECTION 13.02.  Section 402.006(c), Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	(c)  In a case in which the state is entitled to recover a
	penalty or damages the attorney general is entitled, in addition to
	any other remedy available by law and on behalf of the state, to
	reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.
	ARTICLE 14.  VISITING JUDGES
	SECTION 14.01.  Section 25.0022, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsections (v) and (w) to read as follows:
	(v)  A judge who is assigned under this section to a court in
	a county other than the county in which the judge serves is not an
	employee of the other county.
	(w)  A former or retired judge who is assigned under this
	section is not an employee of the county in which the assigned court
	is located.
	SECTION 14.02.  Section 74.061, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsections (l) and (m) to read as follows:
	(l)  A judge of a district, statutory probate,
	constitutional county, or statutory county court who is assigned
	under this chapter to a court in a county other than the county in
	which the judge serves is not an employee of the other county.
	(m)  A former or retired judge or an active judge or justice
	of the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, or a court of
	appeals who is assigned under this chapter is not an employee of the
	county in which the assigned court is located.
	SECTION 14.03.  Subchapter A, Chapter 75, Government Code,
	is amended by adding Section 75.004 to read as follows:
	Sec. 75.004.  EMPLOYEE STATUS. A former or retired judge or
	justice who is assigned under this subchapter is not an employee of
	the county in which the assigned court is located.
	ARTICLE 15. REPEALERS AND TRANSITIONS
	SECTION 15.01.  The following provisions of the Code of
	Criminal Procedure are repealed:
	(1)  Article 103.003(b-1); and
	(2)  Article 103.0033.
	SECTION 15.02.  The following provisions of the Estates Code
	are repealed:
	(1)  Section 51.054(c); and
	(2)  Section 1051.054(c).
	SECTION 15.03.  The following provisions of the Government
	Code are repealed:
	(1)  Section 25.1312(b-1);
	(2)  Section 43.111(c);
	(3)  Subchapter C, Chapter 75;
	(4)  Section 832.001(b);
	(5)  Section 835.103;
	(6)  Section 837.001(b); and
	(7)  Section 840.104.
	SECTION 15.04.  The following provisions of the Local
	Government Code are repealed:
	(1)  Section 133.058(e); and
	(2)  Section 133.103(c-1).
	SECTION 15.05.  The Office of Court Administration of the
	Texas Judicial System 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 office may, but is not required
	to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations
	available for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 16. EFFECTIVE DATE
	SECTION 16.01.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act,
	this Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 891 passed the Senate on
	April 16, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0;
	May 20, 2019, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
	requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 22, 2019, House
	granted request of the Senate; May 26, 2019, Senate adopted
	Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 31,
	Nays 0.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 891 passed the House, with
	amendments, on May 17, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 141,
	Nays 2, three present not voting; May 22, 2019, House granted
	request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
	May 26, 2019, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
	following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 2, one present not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	Approved:
	______________________________
	Date
	______________________________
	Governor