84R7349 YDB-D
By: Raymond H.B. No. 1427
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a review of state laws requiring an action or proceeding
to be brought in Travis County or a Travis County court.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 325, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 325.0235 to read as follows:
Sec. 325.0235. REVIEW OF CERTAIN STATE LAWS. (a) The
commission shall review the laws of this state to identify each
statute and state agency rule that requires an action or proceeding
to be brought or considered in Travis County, a Travis County
district or statutory county court, or the Court of Appeals for the
Third Court of Appeals District.
(b) The commission shall make recommendations on whether
the location of the action or proceeding in each statute or state
agency rule identified under Subsection (a) serves a legitimate
state purpose, other than the convenience of the state agency, that
supersedes the interests of persons required to travel to Travis
County to attend or participate in the action or proceeding or
whether the identified statute or state agency rule should be
revised to authorize an action or proceeding to be brought or
considered in another county in this state. If the commission
recommends authorization of the action or proceeding in another
county, the commission shall estimate any additional costs to this
state that would be incurred in implementing the revision.
(c) The commission shall prepare a report on the statutes
and state agency rules identified under Subsection (a) and the
recommendations made and costs determined under Subsection (b) and
post the report on the commission's Internet website not later than
December 1, 2016. The commission shall submit an electronic copy of
the report prepared under this subsection to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.
(d) The Texas Legislative Council shall assist the
commission in identifying the statutes and state agency rules under
Subsection (a) and the Legislative Budget Board shall assist the
commission in estimating any additional costs to this state that
would be incurred in implementing the recommendations made under
Subsection (b).
(e) This section expires September 1, 2017.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.