85R1583 YDB-D
By: Birdwell S.B. No. 525
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) For each statute or state agency rule identified under
Subsection (a), the commission shall make recommendations on
whether:
(1) the location of the action or proceeding 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
(2) the identified statute or rule should be revised
to authorize an action or proceeding to be brought or considered in
another county in this state.
(c) If the commission recommends authorization of an action
or proceeding in another county under Subsection (b)(2), the
commission shall estimate any additional costs to this state that
would be incurred in implementing the revision.
(d) The commission shall:
(1) prepare a report on the statutes and state agency
rules identified under Subsection (a), the recommendations made
under Subsection (b), and the costs determined under Subsection
(c); and
(2) not later than December 1, 2018, post the report
prepared under Subdivision (1) on the commission's Internet website
and submit an electronic copy of the report to the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives.
(e) The Texas Legislative Council shall assist the
commission in identifying the statutes and state agency rules
described by Subsection (a). The Legislative Budget Board shall
assist the commission in estimating under Subsection (c) any
additional costs to this state that would be incurred in
implementing the recommendations made under Subsection (b)(2).
(f) This section expires September 1, 2019.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.