HBA-KDB, SEP H.B. 1035 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1035
By: Thompson
Judicial Affairs
2/21/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, newly-elected justices of the peace are required to take
a 40-hour course on ethics, responsibilities and jurisdictional issues of
office.  Justice courts now preside over more matters than the courts did
when the 40-hour educational requirement was implemented.  Because of the
increased complexity of the duties of justices of the peace, they are
expected to be more educated in the issues presented in the courts.  House
Bill 1035 increases the mandatory course for justices of the peace from 40
hours to 80 hours. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1035 amends the Government Code to increase the educational
requirement for justices of the peace from a 40-hour course to an 80-hour
course in the performance of the justice's duties.  The bill removes the
qualifier restricting this provision to a justice of the peace who is not a
licensed attorney.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.