HBA-JEK S.B. 1810 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1810 By: Sibley Judicial Affairs 5/10/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Hood County, Texas has increased from 6,368 in 1970 to 38,750 in 1999. Although the judicial caseload has increased with the population, Hood County continues to lack a court at law. Senate Bill 1810 establishes the County Court at Law No. 1 of Hood County. 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 Senate Bill 1810 amends the Government Code to establish the County Court at Law No. 1 of Hood County. The bill provides that a county court at law in Hood County has concurrent jurisdiction with the county court in mental health cases and concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases and proceedings, contested probate matters, and civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000. The county court, each county court at law, and the district court in Hood County have jurisdiction over juvenile matters, with the county court having primary jurisdiction over such matters. A county court at law in Hood County does not have probate jurisdiction unless a probate matter is contested. S.B. 1810 sets forth the qualifications of the judge of a county court at law in Hood County and prohibits a judge from engaging in the private practice of law. The bill requires a judge to be paid an annual salary that is not less than 90 percent of the annual salary of a district judge in the county. The bill sets forth provisions regarding the appointment of a special judge if the regular judge is absent. The bill authorizes a judge to appoint necessary personnel, and authorizes the commissioners court to employ assistant county attorneys and bailiffs and to set the court reporter's compensation. The bill sets forth provisions regarding the composition of the jury in a family law case or proceeding and the drawing, selection, and service of jurors. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.