Texas House Bill HB1114

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to restoring the jurisdiction of the constitutional county court in Brazos County.

Impact

The passage of HB 1114 would have significant implications for the legal framework governing county courts in Texas. It would empower the constitutional county court in Brazos County to reclaim jurisdiction over cases that it may have previously been unable to address due to limitations under the repealed section. This change is expected to provide more comprehensive legal coverage and access to judicial resources for the constituents of Brazos County.

Summary

House Bill 1114 aims to restore the jurisdiction of the constitutional county court in Brazos County, Texas. The bill addresses a specific legal gap by repealing Section 26.121 of the Government Code. This section, if not repealed, could restrict the county court's ability to hear certain cases within its jurisdiction. The restoration of jurisdiction is seen as a necessary step to ensure that the constitutional county court can effectively serve the judicial needs of Brazos County residents.

Contention

Although the bill passed unanimously in the House with a vote of 147 to 0, there may have been underlying concerns regarding the implications of restoring jurisdiction. Some legislators might have debated the risks of increasing the workload for the county court or the need for further clarity on the types of cases that could be affected. Moreover, the process for achieving the bill's immediate effect—requiring a two-thirds majority—could also present challenges in future votes.

Voting_history

HB 1114 was favorably reported by the Committee on Jurisprudence before being sent to the full House, where it was approved on May 8, 2013. The seamless progression through the legislative process suggests broad support among lawmakers for restoring the jurisdiction of the constitutional county court in Brazos County.