86R5621 TSS-D By: Martinez H.B. No. 4745 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the creation of additional county courts at law in Hidalgo County. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 25.1101(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Hidalgo County has the following statutory county courts: (1) County Court at Law No. 1 of Hidalgo County; (2) County Court at Law No. 2 of Hidalgo County; (3) County Court at Law No. 4 of Hidalgo County; (4) County Court at Law No. 5 of Hidalgo County; (5) County Court at Law No. 6 of Hidalgo County; (6) County Court at Law No. 7 of Hidalgo County; [and] (7) County Court at Law No. 8 of Hidalgo County; (8) County Court at Law No. 9 of Hidalgo County; (9) County Court at Law No. 10 of Hidalgo County; (10) County Court at Law No. 11 of Hidalgo County; and (11) County Court at Law No. 12 of Hidalgo County. SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 25.0009, Government Code, the initial vacancies in the offices of judge of County Court at Law No. 9 of Hidalgo County and judge of County Court at Law No. 10 of Hidalgo County shall be filled by election. The offices exist for purposes of the primary and general elections of 2022. A vacancy after the initial vacancies is filled as provided by Section 25.0009, Government Code. SECTION 3. Notwithstanding Section 25.0009, Government Code, the initial vacancies in the offices of judge of County Court at Law No. 11 of Hidalgo County and judge of County Court at Law No. 12 of Hidalgo County shall be filled by election. The offices exist for purposes of the primary and general elections of 2024. A vacancy after the initial vacancies is filled as provided by Section 25.0009, Government Code. SECTION 4. County Court at Law No. 9 of Hidalgo County and County Court at Law No. 10 of Hidalgo County are created on January 1, 2023. SECTION 5. County Court at Law No. 11 of Hidalgo County and County Court at Law No. 12 of Hidalgo County are created on January 1, 2025. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.