Texas Senate Bill SB27

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

• Filed: 7/16/25

Caption

Relating to the jurisdiction of the 2nd Multicounty Court at Law and the composition of the juvenile boards of Bee, Live Oak, and McMullen Counties.

Impact

By redefining the jurisdiction of the 2nd Multicounty Court, SB27 effectively enhances the court's authority, allowing it to handle cases that previously fell solely under district court jurisdiction. This change is expected to alleviate some of the case burdens on district courts in the region and improve accessibility to judicial recourse for residents. Additionally, adjusting the makeup of the juvenile boards in these counties to include the judge of the 2nd Multicounty Court at Law may lead to more cohesive decisions regarding juvenile matters.

Summary

SB27 addresses the jurisdiction of the 2nd Multicounty Court at Law and modifies the composition of juvenile boards in Bee, Live Oak, and McMullen Counties. The bill amends the Government Code to grant the 2nd Multicounty Court concurrent jurisdiction with district courts, specifically in civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed a certain limit. This change aims to streamline judicial processes within these counties and enhance the efficiency of court operations.

Contention

Although the bill appears to provide beneficial changes to court structure, it may raise concerns among stakeholders about the adequacy of representation and decision-making processes within juvenile boards. Critics might argue that adding another judge to the boards could lead to conflicts in governance and decision-making, particularly if there are differences in judicial philosophy or priorities between the judges. Overall, while SB27 aims to improve judicial efficiency, the implications of the changes in governance structures warrant careful consideration.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 25. Statutory County Courts
  • Section: 2704

Human Resources Code

• Chapter 152. Juvenile Boards
  • Section: 0191
  • Section: 1551
  • Section: 1621