By: Clardy H.B. No. 4081
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the referral of certain proceedings to an associate
judge and requests for reimbursement of all or part of an associate
judge's or interpreter's salary.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54A.004, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) The commissioners court of a county may submit a request
to the Texas Judicial Council for reimbursement of all or part of
the salary paid to an associate judge to whom judges in the county
give preference when referring cases under Section 54A.006(a)(11)
to be paid from money appropriated to the council for the purposes
of border security. The council may adopt rules to implement this
subsection.
SECTION 2. Section 54A.006(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) A judge may refer to an associate judge any matter
arising out of a criminal case involving:
(1) a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest before
the court;
(2) a bond forfeiture;
(3) a pretrial motion;
(4) a writ of habeas corpus;
(5) an examining trial;
(6) an occupational driver's license;
(7) an appeal of an administrative driver's license
revocation hearing;
(8) a civil commitment matter under Subtitle C, Title
7, Health and Safety Code;
(9) setting, adjusting, or revoking bond;
(10) the issuance of search warrants, including a
search warrant under Article 18.02(a)(10), Code of Criminal
Procedure, notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of Criminal
Procedure; [and]
(11) alleged conduct constituting the offense of
criminal trespass under Section 30.05, Penal Code, engaged in by a
person not lawfully present in the United States; and
(12) any other matter the judge considers necessary
and proper.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 57, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 57.003 to read as follows:
Sec. 57.003. COMPENSATION. The commissioners court of a
county may submit a request to the Texas Judicial Council for
reimbursement of all or part of the salary paid to an interpreter
for services rendered in a case referred under Section
54A.006(a)(11) to be paid from money appropriated to the council
for the purposes of border security. The council may adopt rules to
implement this section.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.