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31 Document(s) [ Subject: Courts ]

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Bail | Capital punishment | Capital punishment of mentally ill inmates | Capital punishment of mentally disabled inmates | Court Administration, Texas Office of | Court costs and fees | Courts | Criminal justice | Emergency management | Fines | Gun control | Guns | Hurricane Harvey | Jury instructions | Legal malpractice | Marijuana | Mentally ill persons | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) | Prosecutorial misconduct | Risk-based decision-making | School safety | School violence | Sex crimes | Shootings | State jail system |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 C868h
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [103 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Evaluate the impact of Hurricane Harvey on the Texas criminal justice system, including its effect on the speed of criminal trials and litigation, criminal courts, district attorneys' ability to prosecute, and attorneys' ability to provide proper defense. Recommend any changes that could improve operational stability of state criminal justice institutions following a natural disaster and changes that would allow for a more effective response.
2. Assess developments in medical science and legal standards related to the imposition of the death penalty on defendants with serious mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Review statutorily prescribed jury instructions used during capital sentencing.
3. Study current practices for the enforcement of criminal laws against low-level possession of marijuana. Examine the use of alternative punishments and improvements to criminal enforcement mechanisms and community supervision.
4. Examine instances of prosecutorial misconduct and ineffective assistance of defense counsel. Review systemic and structural issues affecting the resolution of criminal cases.
5. Examine the legal framework surrounding sexual assault prosecutions, including statutory definitions, certain age-based offenses, and ongoing developments in evidence collection and processing.
6. Review the Texas state jail system, including its original intent, sentencing guidelines, effectiveness, and recidivism rates. Make recommendations for changes in the state jail system that will improve outcomes. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Corrections)
7. Monitor the work of the Office of Court Administration on pre-trial risk assessment tools for the Texas Judiciary, and study the use of risk assessment tools at various stages in the criminal justice process. Monitor litigation on Harris County pretrial bond practices. Monitor the implementation of the legislation passed by the 85th Legislature regarding the imposition of fines, fees, and court costs in criminal courts.
8. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
9. Review the applicable portions of the state's penal laws and make legislative recommendations regarding whether existing protective order laws are sufficient or could be amended to include 'red flag' or mental health protective orders or whether 'red flag' or mental health protective orders should be independently created to allow law enforcement, a family member, a school employee, or a district attorney to file a petition seeking removal of firearms from a potentially dangerous person and providing for mental health treatment for the potentially dangerous person, while preserving the fundamental rights of the Second Amendment and ensuring due process.
10. Examine current statutes designed to protect minors from accessing firearms without proper supervision and make recommendations to ensure responsible and safe firearm storage, including enhancing the penalty to a felony when unauthorized access results in death or bodily injury.
Committee: House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Civil legal aid | Courts | Discovery (Law) | Human trafficking | Juries | Legal forms | Parent-school relationships | Texas Lemon Law |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 J898
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [59 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the recently enacted Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act and determine how Texas’s anti-trafficking laws could benefit from the Act. In addition, examine strategies for tracking the demand for commercial sex in Texas and the feasibility of creating a statewide trafficking reporting system.
2. Examine whether family law statutes and those affecting the parent-child relationship provide sufficient guidance to Texas judges as to the appropriate application of foreign law. Consider whether additional statutory provisions regarding application of foreign law could provide useful guidance while preserving judges' ability to consider the circumstances of each case and not needlessly prolonging litigation.
3. Evaluate recent efforts to make the court system more accessible for self-represented litigants, and make recommendations on how the courts can more effectively interact with unrepresented parties and increase access to legal information, assistance, and representation. Examine similar efforts in other states.
4. Examine issues related to jury service in Texas, including participation and response rates, the accuracy of jury wheel data, and possible methods to improve response and participation.
5. Study the implementation of the expedited action provisions of HB 274, 82nd R.S., and examine whether these provisions have been effective in encouraging the prompt and efficient resolution of cases.
6. Examine the rights, duties, remedies, and procedures available to consumers under Subchapter M, Chapter 2301, Texas Occupations Code (the Texas "Lemon Law"). Monitor the results of complaints filed under this subchapter and how these rights, duties, remedies, and procedures compare to those in other states.
7. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | County government | Courts | Hazlewood Act | Mental health services | Military and veterans benefits | Military bases | State agencies | Suicide | Veterans | Veterans educational benefits | Veterans health care |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 V641
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [59 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Strike Force, VA Health, Mental Health: Study the state of veteran health and mental health in Texas. Review the progress made by state strike force teams to reduce the claims backlog and decrease wait times at VA hospitals. Evaluate if the passage of the federal Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 and other state initiatives have improved access and outcomes. Determine if state strike force teams should continue as established and make recommendations on necessary changes.
2. State Veteran Employment: Study current veteran hiring policies among state agencies and consider the effectiveness of a percentage-based system. Make recommendations if there are other ways to equitably measure the success of veteran employment within an agency.
3. Veteran Benefits: Given pending litigation on the subject, study what veteran benefits, if any, are currently only offered to residents of the state of Texas-whether by being born here or by entering the service in Texas--and assess whether any of these additional benefits leave the state liable for lawsuits under the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Make recommendations for legislation that could reduce the state's liability.
4. Veterans Courts: Study successes and challenges of veteran’s courts in Texas, including evidence of rehabilitation or recidivism. Consider alternative means of funding, such as voluntary donations at points of contact with state services, and make recommendations.
5. Defense Adjustment Authorities, Compatibility Use, and Encroachment: Consider best practices for improving the military value at military installations in Texas. Determine cost-effective policies and make recommendations that would strengthen military value.
6. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations during the 84th R.S. and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: 1) Monitor the implementation of legislation relating to the qualifications of veteran county service officers, and make recommendations if further changes should be made.
Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Installations
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Courts | Hazlewood Act | Mental health services | Military and veterans benefits | Military bases | Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services | Texas Military Preparedness Commission | Texas National Guard | Texas State Guard | Veterans | Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of | Veterans Commission, Texas | Veterans educational benefits | Veterans employment | Veterans health care | Veterans homes |
Library Call Number: L1836.82 V641
Session: 82nd R.S. (2011)
Online version: View report [40 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the employment rate of Texas veterans, and consider ways to better coordinate federal, state, local and private resources to enhance employment services. Examine the transfer of Veteran Employment Services (VES) from the Texas Workforce Commission to the Texas Veterans Commission, and include an assessment of the impact on Texas veterans and their families. Make recommendations for improving services and possible expansion of services to potential additional returning veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
2. Review the benefits claims process for filing with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs through the Texas Veterans Commission's Claims Representation and Counseling program and make recommendations to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families. Coordinate with the Senate Finance Committee to identify and maximize funding options, reduce claims backlogs, and increase the benefits received by Texas veterans.
3. Examine methods to support veteran participation in higher education. Examine the use of the Hazlewood Act by Texas veterans, and include recommendations to maximize programs to effectively serve veterans and their families. Determine the efficacy of establishing Veteran Resource Centers at institutions of higher education to assist in student veteran academic achievement, provide additional funding for institutions from increased Montgomery GI Bill revenue, and better integrate veterans on college campuses.
4. Evaluate the status of mental health services for veterans and Texas Military Forces. Include an assessment of peer counseling programs, "aftercare" provided for units within their local communities following a trauma within the group, and efforts to address the secondary mental health and substance abuse issues caused by post traumatic stress disorders and other combat-related disorders.
5. Consider establishing a "Commander's Council" in conjunction with the Office of the Governor's Texas Military Preparedness Commission, to allow commanders of Texas' military forces and installations to better coordinate and communicate with the Texas Legislature and state leadership. Develop a comprehensive communication plan with Texas military installations, and recommend any legislative initiatives necessary to support the installations, active-duty service members and their families on and around the installations, and the partnerships between the defense community and the community within which the military installations reside.
6. Study the appropriate role of Texas state military forces in enhancing the safety of all Texans, and make recommendations for improving the coordination, accountability, and effectiveness of all components of our state military forces, including the national, state, and air guards. Identify limitations on the forces providing border security and other operations, and make recommendations for better coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. (Joint Charge with the Transportation & Homeland Security Committee)
7. Study the use and impact of Veterans Courts throughout Texas. Make recommendations relating to potential funding sources, staffing requirements, additional direct services not provided by the Veterans Administration, and possible expansion.
8. Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations, 82nd Legislature, Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:
  • the "College Credit for Heroes" program as administered by the Texas Workforce Commission;
  • the administration of the Veterans Housing Assistance Program by the Texas Veterans Commission's Fund for Veterans' Assistance; and
  • the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services, authorized by SB 1796, 82nd Regular Legislation Session.
Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature
Subjects: Courts | Crime | Deferred adjudication | Human trafficking | Public defenders | Veterans |
Library Call Number: L1836.81 C868h
Session: 81st R.S. (2009)
Online version: View report [38 pages  File size: 807 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the deferred adjudication system in Texas and recommend legislative changes.
2. Study how the state presently supports the establishment and maintenance of public defender offices.
3. Study the human and sex trafficking problem in Texas. Make recommendations on best practices in the areas of investigation, prosecution, and tracking of the victims of these crimes. Study whether victims of these crimes are allowed to adequately recover from their attackers in a civil cause of action. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence
4. Monitor the implementation of SB 1940, 81st R.S., which established veterans court programs in Texas, and examine the link between combat stress disorders of war veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and the onset of criminal behavior. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Defense and Veterans' Affairs
5. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: House Defense and Veterans' Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature
Subjects: Border security | Call centers | Courts | Criminal justice | Federal funds | Homeland security | Land use regulations | Military bases | Military personnel | Veterans | Voting by mail |
Library Call Number: L1836.81 D361
Session: 81st R.S. (2009)
Online version: View report [38 pages  File size: 738 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Investigate strategies to address incompatible land use surrounding Texas military installations. Study approaches that minimize conflict with neighboring landowners.
2. Evaluate the advantages, including potential cost savings, of centralizing call center activities for referral to benefits providers for veterans.
3. Monitor and review the disbursement and use of border and homeland security funds. Evaluate the effectiveness in meeting the state's border and homeland security program goals and objectives. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Appropriations
4. Study ways the state can enhance military and overseas voters' ability to obtain and return balloting materials and reduce burdens on those voters' exercise of their right to vote. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Elections
5. Monitor the implementation of SB 1940, 81st R.S., which established veterans court programs in Texas, and examine the link between combat stress disorders of war veterans, including post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, and the onset of criminal behavior. Joint Interim Charge with House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
6. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on County Affairs, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2004 : a report to the House of Representatives, 79th Texas Legislature
Subjects: County government | Courts | Fees | Fines | State mandates | Substandard housing | Tax revenue | Texas Fair Defense Act |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 C832
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [63 pages  File size: 2,583 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study ways to increase efficiency and provide for greater local control through restructuring county government.
2. Consider the increased costs associated with Court Administration and Security as it relates to the implementation of the Fair Defense Act and heightened security requirements.
3. Review the proliferation of sub-standard housing in counties not covered by Local Government Code, Chapter 232, Subchapters B and C and ways to bring these areas up to minimum standards.
4. Determine whether county fees/fines are at appropriate levels and have maintained their proper function and application.
5. Study the concept of ways to limit unfunded state mandates by reviewing what other jurisdictions have done.
6. Review the amount of taxes collected and services delivered in incorporated areas versus unincorporated areas of counties.
7. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report : report to the 79th Legislature
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution | Courts | Criminally insane | Judge salaries | Judicial Retirement System of Texas | Penalties and sentences (Criminal justice) |
Library Call Number: L1836.78 J979
Session: 78th R.S. (2003)
Online version: View report [99 pages  File size: 5,013 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the jurisdiction of all local and state courts, including civil and criminal justice courts. Make recommendations for changes to any court's jurisdiction to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the judicial system. Review and make recommendations relating to concurrent jurisdiction of county courts at law and district courts over eminent domain proceedings.
2. Study judicial salaries, supplements, retirement, and benefit issues for sitting, visiting and retired judges.
3. Study arbitration statutes, and the role of the American Arbitration Association. Specifically, the Committee shall make recommendations to improve and ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness of arbitrators and arbitrations.
4. Study insanity defense laws, specifically evaluating the impact of changing the defense of "not guilty by reason of insanity" to "guilty, but insane."
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: Bail Bond committee documentation: meeting notes, law review and newspaper articles, legislation, etc.
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1803.9 J979 68
Session: 68th R.S. (1983)
Online version: View document [228 pages]
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: SR 653
Library Call Number: SR 653
Session: 68th R.S. (1983)
Online version: View document [7 pages  File size: 536 kb]
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Committee on Judiciary, House of Representatives, State of Texas, 67th Legislature.
Subjects: At-risk youth | Child custody | Child support | Courts | Historical records | Judicial Conduct, State Commission on | Juvenile crime | Juvenile justice system | Kidnapping | Open Meetings Act, Texas | Records management | Rules of evidence | Runaway children | Statutory revision | Truancy | Visitation rights |
Library Call Number: L1836.67 j898
Session: 67th R.S. (1981)
Online version: View report [124 pages  File size: 3,598 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study Title II, Subtitle A and Title III of the Family Code, with a view toward recommendations modifying and expanding the statutes, including but not limited to: (a) parental kidnapping; (b) the disposition of juvenile cases (c) special issued in suits affecting the parent-child relationship; (d) mandatory requirements for court interpreters; and (e) grandparent visitation.
2. Study the preservation of records of the courts of appeal and district courts.
3. Study the rules of evidence for civil cases.
4. Review the hearing and investigative processes of the Judicial Conduct Commission.
5. Review the general rules of venue.
6. Study the Open Meetings Act to determine if changes are necessary to make the Act more effective.
Committee: House Judicial Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report of the Judicial Affairs Committee, Texas House of Representatives, the sixty-seventh legislative session.
Subjects: Appellate courts | Autopsies | Court congestion | Courts | Judicial Conduct, State Commission on | Law Examiners, Texas Board of | Medical examiners | State Bar of Texas | Statutory revision | Supreme Court, Texas | Trial courts |
Library Call Number: L1836.66 j897
Session: 66th R.S. (1979)
Online version: View report [127 pages  File size: 4,782 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Oversight functions shall be conducted for all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned for appropriative purposes during the Sixty-sixth Regular Session of the Legislature. These are: Supreme Court of Texas, Courts of Civil Appeals, State Bar of Texas, Board of Law Examiners, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Judiciary Section, Comptroller's Office.
2. Study the use of masters and other parajudicial personnel as a method of easing caseloads in certain courts.
3. Identify concurrent jurisdiction in civil cases among the trial courts in Texas and make appropriate recommendations.
4. Review court systems in other states.
5. Undertake a comprehensive study of the Family Code with recommendations as to recodification.
6. Study the need and benefits of having regional medical examiners in determining deaths caused by sexual abuse, child abuse, drugs and alcohol.
7. Study the needs of the Courts of Civil Appeals.
8. Determine the support services needed by the Supreme Court and recommend appropriate funding.
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Interim Report - Volume 1
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 67th Legislature : reports of the Committee on Judiciary, House of Representatives, state of Texas, 66th Legislature.
Subjects: Court costs and fees | Courts | Freedom of the press | Legal assistants | Media | State government contracts | Statutory revision |
Library Call Number: L1836.66 j898 1
Session: 66th R.S. (1979)
Online version: View report [115 pages  File size: 3,170 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the feasibility of a codification of the judicial statutes of Texas.
2. Study the need for laws to define and limit the powers and authorities of paralegals.
3. Make recommendations for revisions of the rules of venue.
4. Investigate the fair trial and free press guidelines adopted by the American Bar Association House of Delegates as applied to the Judicial Branch of Texas, to determine whether such guidelines should be adopted by the Legislature.
5. Study state contracts and the feasibility of modifying current statutes related to liquidated damages.
6. Outline the various fees and court costs in Texas, to ascertain whether these charges are commensurate with the costs of the services provided.
Committee: House Grand Juries, House Joint Select
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: To the speaker and members of the Texas House of Representatives, 66th Legislature : report of the / Select Committee on Grand Juries, Texas House of Representatives, 65th Legislature.
Subjects: Courts | Criminal justice | Juries |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 g764
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [55 pages  File size: 3,964 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Conduct a study of the grand jury system in Texas, including selection procedures, term and procedures.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Grand Juries, House Joint Select
Title: Joint committee studies.
Library Call Number: LRL
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View document [7 pages]
Committee: House Judicial Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: A compilation of interim reports to the sixty-sixth legislative session, Texas House of Representatives.
Subjects: Appellate courts | County attorneys | Courts | District attorneys | Law Library, Texas State | Municipal courts | State Bar of Texas | Supreme Court, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 h816 3
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [81 pages  File size: 2,685 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Oversight responsibility of agency expenditures and related transactions. This function shall encompass a review and monitoring of all appropriations related actions of those agencies assigned to the committee for appropriative purposes during the 65th Regular Session of the Legislature, to wit: Supreme Court of Texas, Courts of Civil Appeals, State Law Library, Civil Judicial Council, Judicial Qualifications Commission, Judiciary Section of the Comptroller's Department, State Bar, Board of Law Examiners, and the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council
2. A study of the advisability of removing from the Constitution the defining of the jurisdiction of the courts, thus allowing the Legislature to alter their jurisdiction.
3. A study of the operations, procedures and effectiveness of the existing municipal courts of record, and the desirability of the creation of more such courts.
4. A study of the organization and operations of the State Bar.
5. A study of the role of Criminal District Attorneys and County Attorneys who serve as District Attorneys, and the desirability of creating such offices.
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report to the Senate of the 66th Legislature of Texas on Interim Studies / by the Jurisprudence Committee of the Texas Senate.
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Courts | Damage awards | Halfway houses | Liability | Peace officers | Police misconduct | Police officers | Railroad crossings |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 j979r
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [122 pages  File size: 4,327 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the advisability of establishing community-based programs and facilities in this state as an additional alternative to incarceration in the state prison.
2. Study, assess, and evaluate the dangers posed by railroad grade crossings.
3. Conduct a study of product safety and liability problems in the State of Texas.
4. Study the court administration in Texas. Recommend ways to make the court system more efficient and effective. *
5. Study the adequacy of current laws to prevent the abuse of power by peace officers. *
Supporting documents
Committee: Senate Jurisprudence
Title: Miscellaneous Bills in Committee
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1803.9 J979 65
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View document [8 pages]
Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report, sixty-fifth legislative session / Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, Texas House of Representatives.
Subjects: Courts | Crime prevention | Pardons and Paroles, Texas Board of | Parole | Statutory revision | Texas Code of Criminal Procedure | Texas Penal Code |
Library Call Number: L1836.64 c869
Session: 64th R.S. (1975)
Online version: View report [45 pages  File size: 1,186 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study the need for revision of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
2. Study the effectiveness of the new Texas Penal Code.
3. Study the need for modernization and management changes in the courts of the criminal justice system.
4. Conduct a thorough study of methods to reduce the crime rate in Texas.
5. Conduct a thorough study of the State's parole system. This study should include all aspects and operations of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, including general policies, rules and regulations governing the pardon and parole of prisoners. This study should indicate in its findings suggestions pertinent to efficient and effective ways of carrying out all laws relating to pardons and paroles.
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Interim report, sixty-fifth legislative session / Committee on Judiciary, Texas House of Representatives.
Subjects: Courts | District courts | Trial courts |
Library Call Number: L1836.64 j898 v.2
Session: 64th R.S. (1975)
Online version: View report [67 pages  File size: 2,403 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study the cost of the judiciary, the staffing and court facilities of trial courts, court reporters and the preparation of transcripts, and the manner in which the need for additional courts and judges can be determined. *
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: A proposal for the comprehensive revision of article V / Committee on the Judiciary, Texas House of Representatives.
Subjects: Court reform | Courts | Statutory revision |
Library Call Number: L1836.63 j898
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View report [49 pages  File size: 1,976 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Continue the comprehensive study of the judicial system of the state, such study to include a comprehensive review of present procedures, case loads, and statistics of all courts, civil and criminal, in the state.
2. Include in its study a comprehensive review of the structure, organization, procedures, and administration of the state judicial system and develop extensive programs for comprehensive judicial reform, directed toward improvements in the administration of justice through constitutional and statutory revision.
3. Complete a Judicial Code to organize and govern the judicial branch of government in anticipation of the adoption by the Texas electorate of a new judiciary article to the Texas Constitution.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Record Votes
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1801.9 J898 63
Session: 63rd R.S. (1973)
Online version: View document [21 pages]
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Streamlining the Texas Judiciary; continuity with change; a report on the Texas Judiciary based on a four-year study by the House Judiciary Committee.
Subjects: Courts | Statutory revision |
Library Call Number: L1836.62 j898
Session: 62nd R.S. (1971)
Online version: View report [135 pages  File size: 6,957 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Continue the comprehensive study of the judicial system of the State of Texas which was begun under authority of HSR 400 as passed by the 61st Legislature, such study to include a comprehensive review of present procedures, case loads, and statistics, involving all courts, civil and criminal, of the State of Texas, beginning at Corporation Court and Justice Court levels and extending all the way up through County Courts, District Courts, Courts of Civil Appeals, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Supreme Court, with such study to include also the special courts created by the Legislature, such as Courts of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Courts.
2. Include in its study of the Judicial System a comprehensive review of the structure, organization, procedures, and administration of the judicial system of the State of Texas and develop extensive programs for comprehensive judicial reform, looking toward improvements in the administration of justice in Texas, and also directing its attention toward a possible revision of Article V of the Texas Constitution.
Committee: Joint Traffic Court System
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report and recommended legislation of the Traffic Courts Study Committee to the 63rd Legislature.
Subjects: Courts | Traffic violations | Trial courts |
Library Call Number: L1836.62 t676
Session: 62nd R.S. (1971)
Online version: View report [239 pages  File size: 12,108 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. A comprehensive statewide study and examination of the structure and operation of Texas traffic courts be undertaken and this study should include geographic jurisdiction, authority, rules of procedure, qualification of traffic court personnel, mandatory personal appearance of defendant in court, utilization of records before sentencing, range of penalties, reporting of convictions, training for court personnel, the financial aspects of traffic courts, including sources of funds, costs of operation and disposition of revenue, recommendations on adequate courtroom facilities; judges salaries, education and a code of ethics; and any other related fields in which the study committee may feel action is necessary and proper for the orderly administration of justice in traffic cases.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Transcript, Testimony of Judge L.D. Ratliff, July 20, 1970
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1801.9 J898MR 61
Session: 61st R.S. (1969)
Online version: View document [37 pages  File size: 1,908 kb]
Committee: House Judiciary
Title: Transcript, Testimony by Curtis Brown, August 14, 1970
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1801.9 J898MB 61
Session: 61st R.S. (1969)
Online version: View document [18 pages  File size: 960 kb]
Committee: Senate Crime Investigation
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report and recommendations of the Senate Committee Investigating Crime, 43rd Legislature, 1933-1934.
Subjects: Courts | Crime | Crime statistics | Gambling | Law enforcement | Police departments | Texas Code of Criminal Procedure |
Library Call Number: L1836.43 C868/S.J. of Tex., 44th Leg., R.S. 267 (1935)
Session: 43rd R.S. (1933)
Online version: View report [40 pages  File size: 2,390 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Investigate and report upon the present, and, if any, growing disregard and violation by the criminal element of any and all laws of this state.
2. Investigate and report upon the effort or lack of effort on the part of any or all officers of the state government to enforce the laws of the state.
3. Investigate and report upon the effect, if any, that the disregard of some of the laws of this state has upon encouraging and making possible the violation of other laws of the state.
4. Investigate and report upon the effect, if any, that the lack of strict law enforcement by officials in certain sections has upon encouraging and making possible violations of law in other sections of the state.
5. Investigate and report upon any defects, if any, in our penal laws, laws of criminal procedure, and in our present jury system.
6. Investigate and fix responsibility, if possible, for the present seeming breakdown in the enforcement of our criminal laws.
7. Investigate and suggest needed rearrangement or consolidation of our state police system.
8. Investigate and report with reference to the so-called racket of slot machines and activities allowing bookmakers to run in Texas and whether or not certain lawyers of this state are in league with the illegal operators on a retainer basis to help them defeat the criminal laws of this state.
Committee: House State Departments, Investigate
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of Committee to Investigate Certain State Departments.
Subjects: Board of Control, Texas | Business taxes | Courts | Education, Texas State Board of | Executive clemency | Ferguson, James E. 'Pa' | Ferguson, Miriam A. 'Ma' | Government ethics | Governors | Gubernatorial pardons | Highway construction | Highway Department, Texas State | Motor fuels taxes | Pardons and Paroles, Texas Board of | Prisons | Railroad Commission of Texas | State purchasing | Tax administration | Textbooks | Treasury Department, Texas State |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 40th Leg., R.S., 132 (1927)
Session: 39th R.S. (1925)
Online version: View report [28 pages  File size: 1,593 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Investigation into the administration of highway affairs by the State Highway Commission; to investigate the manner in which contracts have been let by said commission, and generally to investigate all and every act of said commission since said date.
2. Investigation into the State Treasurer's Department and the Railroad Commission with the view of determining if the State is receiving the full amount due by the oil companies as taxes on gross production of oil, as provided by law.
3. To investigate the granting of pardons, paroles, reprieves and commutation of sentence, and the facts and circumstances connected with the granting of such acts of clemency.
4. To investigate the letting of contracts for the purpose of text-books and the facts surrounding the letting of such contracts.
5. To investigate into the administration of public affairs by such other departments of the State government, as in the judgment of said committee may be necessary, and for the promotion of the public good.
Supporting documents
Committee: House State Departments, Investigate
Title: Transcript and Testimony, Proceedings of Committee Appointed by the Thirty-ninth Legislature to Investigate Certain State Departments, October 18, 1926-January 3, 1927, Supplement to House Journal for Ninth Day, January 21, 1927
Library Catalog Title: Minutes
Library Call Number: L1836.39 IN8
Session: 39th R.S. (1925)
Online version: View document [886 pages  File size: 433,830 kb]
Committee: Joint Central Investigating Committee
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: Report
Subjects: Agriculture, Texas Department of | Attorney General of Texas | Bachelor's degrees | Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas | Courts | East Texas A&M University | Education Agency, Texas | General Land Office, Texas | Higher education | Highway Department, Texas State | Investment of public funds | Juvenile detention facilities | Legislative staff | Library & Archives Commission, Texas State | Office of the Governor | Prairie View A&M University | Prison farms | Prison labor | Prisons | Quarantines | Rabies | Railroad Commission of Texas | Sam Houston State University | Secretary of State, Texas | State agencies | State agency budgets | State land | State purchasing | Tarleton State University | Tax administration | Teacher training | Texas A&M University | Texas State University | Texas Woman's University | Treasury Department, Texas State | University of North Texas at Denton | University of Texas at Austin | University of Texas at El Paso | University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston | Veterinary Medical Examiners, Texas State Board of | West Texas A&M University |
Library Call Number: L1836.35 In8r / H.J. of Tex., 35th Leg., 4th C.S. 228 (1918)
Session: 35th R.S. (1917)
Online version: View report [58 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. To make a through investigation into the affairs of all departments of the state and every state institution. *
Committee: House Division of the State, Select
Title: Report
Library Catalog Title: [Report].
Subjects: Courts | Education | State boundaries | Transportation |
Library Call Number: H.J. of Tex., 12th Leg., R.S., 1316 (1871)
Session: 12th 1st C.S. (1870)
Online version: View report [2 pages]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Investigate dividing Texas into smaller states. *

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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