BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1553 81R8573 CAE-D By: Wentworth Jurisprudence 4/7/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Each session, the legislature routinely approves the creation of new district courts for counties that exhibit substantial judicial need. Several factors are analyzed in the evaluation process, including increased caseloads, case backlogs, substantial population growth, and county support. Measuring Current Judicial Workload in Texas, a research report issued by the Office of Court Administration in 2008, also provided valuable data regarding judicial need and was used in the analysis. As proposed, S.B. 1553 incorporates these findings and establishes new district courts in Denton and Tarrant Counties to support a more efficient and effective statewide judiciary. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. (a) Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Section 24.575, as follows: Sec. 24.575. 431ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DENTON COUNTY). Provides that the 431st Judicial District is composed of Denton County. (b) Provides that the 431st Judicial District is created on the effective date of this Act. SECTION 2. (a) Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Section 24.576, as follows: Sec. 24.576. 432ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY). Provides that the 432nd Judicial District is composed of Tarrant County. (b) Provides that the 432nd Judicial District is created on the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009. BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1553 81R8573 CAE-D By: Wentworth Jurisprudence 4/7/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Each session, the legislature routinely approves the creation of new district courts for counties that exhibit substantial judicial need. Several factors are analyzed in the evaluation process, including increased caseloads, case backlogs, substantial population growth, and county support. Measuring Current Judicial Workload in Texas, a research report issued by the Office of Court Administration in 2008, also provided valuable data regarding judicial need and was used in the analysis. As proposed, S.B. 1553 incorporates these findings and establishes new district courts in Denton and Tarrant Counties to support a more efficient and effective statewide judiciary. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. (a) Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Section 24.575, as follows: Sec. 24.575. 431ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (DENTON COUNTY). Provides that the 431st Judicial District is composed of Denton County. (b) Provides that the 431st Judicial District is created on the effective date of this Act. SECTION 2. (a) Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, by adding Section 24.576, as follows: Sec. 24.576. 432ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (TARRANT COUNTY). Provides that the 432nd Judicial District is composed of Tarrant County. (b) Provides that the 432nd Judicial District is created on the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.