H.B. No. 79

	AN ACT
	relating to fiscal and other matters necessary for implementation
	of the judiciary budget as enacted by H.B. No. 1, Acts of the 82nd
	Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, and to the operation and
	administration of, and practice and procedures in courts in, the
	judicial branch of state government.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	ARTICLE 1. FISCAL NECESSITY
	SECTION 1.01.  The legislature finds that this Act is
	necessary to the state to offset the effect of the approximately $30
	million budget reduction for the judiciary. The provisions of this
	Act are designed to allow the judiciary to operate with the least
	chance of harm to fulfilling the purpose of the judiciary and to
	allow the operation of the judiciary in the next state fiscal
	biennium in an efficient manner.
	ARTICLE 2.  APPELLATE COURT PROVISIONS
	SECTION 2.01.  Subsection (b), Section 22.002, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The supreme court or, in vacation, a justice of the
	supreme court may issue a writ of mandamus to compel a statutory
	county court judge, a statutory probate court judge, or a district
	judge to proceed to trial and judgment in a case [agreeable to the
	principles and usages of law, returnable to the supreme court on or
	before the first day of the term, or during the session of the term,
	or before any justice of the supreme court as the nature of the case
	requires].
	SECTION 2.02.  (a)  Section 24.007, Property Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.007.  APPEAL.  (a)  [A final judgment of a county
	court in an eviction suit may not be appealed on the issue of
	possession unless the premises in question are being used for
	residential purposes only.] A judgment of a county court in an
	eviction suit may not under any circumstances be stayed pending
	appeal unless, within 10 days of the signing of the judgment, the
	appellant files a supersedeas bond in an amount set by the county
	court. In setting the supersedeas bond the county court shall
	provide protection for the appellee to the same extent as in any
	other appeal, taking into consideration the value of rents likely
	to accrue during appeal, damages which may occur as a result of the
	stay during appeal, and other damages or amounts as the court may
	deem appropriate.
	(b)  Notwithstanding any other law, an appeal may be taken
	from a final judgment of a county court, statutory county court,
	statutory probate court, or district court in an eviction suit.
	(b)  The change in law made by this section applies to an
	appeal of a final judgment rendered on or after the effective date
	of this section.  An appeal of a final judgment rendered before the
	effective date of this section is governed by the law in effect on
	the date the judgment was rendered, and the former law is continued
	in effect for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 3.  GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR DISTRICT COURTS
	SECTION 3.01.  Section 24.002, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.002.  ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGE OR TRANSFER OF CASE ON
	RECUSAL [SUBSTITUTE JUDGES].  If a district judge determines on the
	judge's own motion that the judge should not sit in a case pending
	in the judge's court because the judge is disqualified or otherwise
	should recuse himself or herself, the judge shall enter a recusal
	order, request the presiding judge of that administrative judicial
	region to assign another judge to sit, and take no further action in
	the case except for good cause stated in the order in which the
	action is taken.  A change of venue is not necessary because of the
	disqualification of a district judge in a case or proceeding
	pending in the judge's [his] court[, but the judge shall
	immediately certify his disqualification to the governor. The
	governor shall designate a district judge of another district to
	exchange benches with the disqualified judge to try the case. The
	governor shall notify both judges of his designation, and the
	judges shall exchange benches. If the judges are prevented from
	exchanging benches, the parties or their counsels may agree on an
	attorney of the court for the trial of the case. The district judge
	or special judge shall certify to the governor the fact of a failure
	of the parties or their counsels to agree on an attorney, and the
	governor shall appoint a person legally qualified to act as judge in
	the trial of the case].
	SECTION 3.02.  Sections 24.003 and 24.007, Government Code,
	are amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.003.  TRANSFER OF CASES; EXCHANGE OF BENCHES
	[SUBSTITUTE JUDGES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES].  (a)  This section applies
	only to [civil cases in] counties with two [five] or more district
	courts.
	(b)  Unless provided otherwise by the local rules of
	administration, a district judge in the county may:
	(1)  transfer any civil or criminal case or proceeding
	on the court's docket to the docket of another district court in the
	county;
	(2)  hear and determine any case or proceeding pending
	in another district court in the county without having the case
	transferred;
	(3)  sit for another district court in the county and
	hear and determine any case or proceeding pending in that court;
	(4)  temporarily exchange benches with the judge of
	another district court in the county;
	(5)  try different cases in the same court at the same
	time; and
	(6)  occupy the judge's own courtroom or the courtroom
	of another district court in the county.
	(c)  If a district judge in the county is sick or otherwise
	absent, another district judge in the county may hold court for the
	judge.
	(d)  A district judge in the county may hear and determine
	any part or question of any case or proceeding pending in any of the
	district courts, and any other district judge may complete the
	hearing and render judgment in the case or proceeding. A district
	judge may hear and determine motions, including motions for new
	trial, petitions for injunction, applications for the appointment
	of a receiver, interventions, pleas in abatement, dilatory pleas,
	and all preliminary matters, questions, and proceedings, and may
	enter judgment or order on them in the court in which the case or
	proceeding is pending without transferring the case or proceeding.
	The district judge in whose court the matter is pending may proceed
	to hear, complete, and determine the matter, or all or any part of
	another matter, and render a final judgment. A district judge may
	issue a restraining order or injunction that is returnable to any
	other district court.
	(e)  A judgment or order shall be entered in the minutes of
	the court in which the case is pending.
	(f)  This section does not limit the powers of a district
	judge when acting for another judge by exchange of benches or
	otherwise  [If a district judge is disqualified in a case pending in
	his court and his disqualification is certified to the governor,
	the governor may require any other district judge in the county to
	exchange benches with the disqualified judge.
	[(c)     If a district judge is absent, sick, or disqualified,
	any of the district judges in the county may hold court for him or
	may transfer a pending case to the court of any other district judge
	in the county].
	Sec. 24.007.  JURISDICTION.  (a)  The district court has the
	jurisdiction provided by Article V, Section 8, of the Texas
	Constitution.
	(b)  A district court has original jurisdiction of a civil
	matter in which the amount in controversy is more than $500,
	exclusive of interest.
	SECTION 3.03.  Subsection (a), Section 24.012, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Notwithstanding any other law, each [Each] district
	[and criminal district] court holds in each county in the judicial
	district [at least two] terms that commence on the first Mondays in
	January and July of [court] each year [in each county in the
	district].  To the extent of a conflict between this subsection and
	a specific provision relating to a particular judicial district,
	this section controls.
	SECTION 3.04.  Subchapter A, Chapter 24, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Sections 24.023, 24.024, 24.025, 24.026, 24.027,
	24.028, 24.029, 24.030, and 24.031 to read as follows:
	Sec. 24.023.  OBLIGATIONS; BONDS. (a)  When a case is
	transferred from one court to another, all processes, writs, bonds,
	recognizances, and other obligations issued by the transferring
	court are returnable to the court to which the case is transferred
	as if originally issued by that court.
	(b)  The obligees in all bonds and recognizances taken in and
	for a court from which a case is transferred, and all witnesses
	summoned to appear in a district court from which a case is
	transferred, are required to appear before the court to which the
	case is transferred as if the bond, recognizance, or summons was
	taken in or for that court.
	Sec. 24.024.  FILING AND DOCKETING CASES. In a county with
	two or more district courts, the district judges may adopt rules
	governing the filing and numbering of cases, the assignment of
	cases for trial, and the distribution of the work of the courts as
	in their discretion they consider necessary or desirable for the
	orderly dispatch of the business of the courts.
	Sec. 24.025.  SUPPLEMENTAL COMPENSATION. (a)  Unless
	otherwise provided by this subchapter, all district judges in a
	county are entitled to equal amounts of supplemental compensation
	from the county.
	(b)  A district judge is entitled to an amount of
	supplemental compensation for serving on the juvenile board of a
	county that is equal to the amount other judges serving on the
	juvenile board receive.
	Sec. 24.026.  APPOINTMENT OF INITIAL JUDGE. On the creation
	of a new judicial district, the initial vacancy in the office of
	district judge is filled in accordance with Section 28, Article V,
	Texas Constitution.
	Sec. 24.027.  GRAND AND PETIT JURORS. All grand and petit
	jurors selected in a county before a new district court is created
	or the composition of an existing district court is modified by an
	amendment to this chapter are considered to be selected for the new
	or modified district court, as applicable.
	Sec. 24.028.  CASES TRANSFERRED. If by an amendment to this
	chapter a county is removed from the composition of an existing
	judicial district and added to another existing or new judicial
	district, all cases and proceedings from that county that are
	pending in the district court of the judicial district from which
	the county was removed are transferred to the district court of the
	judicial district to which the county is added. The judge of each
	affected district court shall sign the proper orders in connection
	with the transfer.
	Sec. 24.029.  PROCESSES, WRITS, AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS REMAIN
	VALID. (a)  If by an amendment to this chapter a county is removed
	from the composition of an existing judicial district and added to
	another existing or new judicial district, or if an amendment to
	this chapter changes the time or place at which the terms of court
	are held, all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, and other
	obligations issued from and made returnable to that court before
	the effective date of the transfer or other change are returnable as
	provided by this subsection. An obligation issued from the
	affected court is returnable to another district court in the
	county on the date that court directs, but may not be made
	returnable on a date that is earlier than the date on which the
	obligation was originally returnable. The obligations are legal
	and valid as if the obligations had been made returnable to the
	issuing court.
	(b)  The obligees in all appearance bonds and recognizances
	taken in and for a district court of a county before the effective
	date of an amendment to this chapter, and all witnesses summoned to
	appear before that district court under laws existing before the
	effective date of an amendment to this chapter, are required to
	appear at another district court in the county on the date that
	court directs, but may not be required to appear on a date that is
	earlier than the date on which the obligees or witnesses were
	originally required to appear.
	Sec. 24.030.  LOCATION OF COURT.  (a)  A district court
	shall sit in the county seat for a jury trial in a civil case. The
	commissioners court of the county may authorize a district court to
	sit in any municipality within the county to hear and determine
	nonjury trials in civil cases and to hear and determine motions,
	arguments, and other matters not heard before a jury in a civil case
	that is within the court's jurisdiction.
	(b)  The district clerk or the clerk's deputy serves as clerk
	of the court when a court sits in a municipality other than the
	municipality that is the county seat and may transfer:
	(1)  all necessary books, minutes, records, and papers
	to that municipality while the court is in session there; and
	(2)  the books, minutes, records, and papers back to
	the clerk's office in the county seat at the end of each session.
	(c)  If the commissioners court authorizes a district court
	to sit in a municipality other than the municipality that is the
	county seat, the commissioners court shall provide suitable
	facilities for the court in that municipality.
	Sec. 24.031.  COURT OFFICERS. The prosecuting attorney, the
	sheriff, the district clerk, the bailiffs, and the other officers
	serving the other district courts of the county shall serve in their
	respective capacities for the courts listed in this chapter.
	SECTION 3.05.  Subsection (g), Section 25.0362, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(g)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a
	county court at law and a judge of a district court in Cass County
	may transfer cases between the courts in the same manner that judges
	of district courts may transfer cases under Section 24.003
	[24.303].
	SECTION 3.06.  Subsection (w), Section 25.0732, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(w)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a
	statutory county court in El Paso County and a judge of a district
	court or another statutory county court in El Paso County may
	transfer cases between the courts in the same manner judges of
	district courts transfer cases under Section 24.003 [24.303].
	SECTION 3.07.  Subsection (c), Section 25.1672, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, judges of the
	county courts at law and district courts in the county may exchange
	benches and courtrooms and may transfer cases between their dockets
	in the same manner that district court judges exchange benches and
	transfer cases under Section 24.003 [24.303].
	SECTION 3.08.  Subsection (v), Section 25.1862, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(v)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a
	county court at law and a judge of a district court or another
	county court at law may transfer cases between the courts in the
	same manner judges of district courts transfer cases under Section
	24.003 [24.303].
	SECTION 3.09.  Subsection (k), Section 25.2512, Government
	Code, as effective September 1, 2011, is amended to read as follows:
	(k)  A judge of a county court at law and a judge of a
	district court or another county court at law with concurrent
	jurisdiction may transfer cases between the courts in the same
	manner judges of district courts transfer cases under Section
	24.003 [24.303].
	SECTION 3.10.  Subsection (k), Section 25.1932, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(k)  Notwithstanding Section 74.121(b)(1), in matters of
	concurrent jurisdiction, the judge of a county court at law and the
	judges of the district courts in the county may exchange benches and
	courtrooms and may transfer cases between their dockets in the same
	manner that judges of district courts exchange benches and transfer
	cases under Section 24.003 [24.303].
	SECTION 3.11.  Subdivision (2), Subsection (b), Section
	74.121, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(2)  Notwithstanding Subdivision (1), in matters of
	concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a statutory county court in
	Midland County and a judge of a district court in Midland County may
	exchange benches and courtrooms with each other and may transfer
	cases between their dockets in the same manner that judges of
	district courts exchange benches and transfer cases under Section
	24.003 [24.303].
	SECTION 3.12.  Subsection (d), Section 659.012, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision in this section or
	other law, in [In] a county with more than five district courts, a
	district judge who serves as a local administrative district judge
	under Section 74.091 is entitled to an annual salary from the state
	that is $5,000 more than the salary from the state to which the
	judge is otherwise entitled [under Subsection (a)(1)].
	SECTION 3.13.  The following provisions of the Government
	Code are repealed:
	(1)  Section 24.013;
	(2)  Section 24.302;
	(3)  Section 24.303;
	(4)  Section 24.304;
	(5)  Section 24.305;
	(6)  Section 24.307;
	(7)  Section 24.308;
	(8)  Section 24.309;
	(9)  Section 24.311;
	(10)  Section 24.312;
	(11)  Section 24.313;
	(12)  Section 24.314;
	(13)  Section 24.525(b);
	(14)  Section 24.526(b);
	(15)  Section 24.527(b);
	(16)  Sections 24.528(b) and (c); and
	(17)  Sections 24.529(b) and (c).
	ARTICLE 4.  STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS
	SECTION 4.01.  Section 25.0002, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0002.  DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION].  In this chapter:
	(1)  "Criminal law cases and proceedings" includes
	cases and proceedings for allegations of conduct punishable in part
	by confinement in the county jail not to exceed one year.
	(2)  "Family[, "family] law cases and proceedings"
	includes cases and proceedings under Titles 1, 2, 4, and 5, Family
	Code [involving adoptions, birth records, or removal of disability
	of minority or coverture; change of names of persons; child
	welfare, custody, support and reciprocal support, dependency,
	neglect, or delinquency; paternity; termination of parental
	rights; divorce and marriage annulment, including the adjustment of
	property rights, custody and support of minor children involved
	therein, temporary support pending final hearing, and every other
	matter incident to divorce or annulment proceedings; independent
	actions involving child support, custody of minors, and wife or
	child desertion; and independent actions involving controversies
	between parent and child, between parents, and between spouses].
	(3)  "Juvenile law cases and proceedings" includes all
	cases and proceedings brought under Title 3, Family Code.
	(4)  "Mental health cases and proceedings" includes all
	cases and proceedings brought under Chapter 462, Health and Safety
	Code, or Subtitle C or D, Title 7, Health and Safety Code.
	SECTION 4.02.  Subsection (c), Section 25.0003, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a
	statutory county court exercising civil jurisdiction concurrent
	with the constitutional jurisdiction of the county court has
	concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
	(1)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
	exceeds $500 but does not exceed $200,000 [$100,000], excluding
	interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and
	attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition;
	and
	(2)  appeals of final rulings and decisions of the
	division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of
	Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of
	the amount in controversy.
	SECTION 4.03.  Section 25.0004, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:
	(f)  The judge of a statutory county court does not have
	general supervisory control or appellate review of the
	commissioners court.
	(g)  A judge of a statutory county court has the judicial
	immunity of a district judge.
	SECTION 4.04.  Section 25.0007, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0007.  JURIES; PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE.  (a)  The
	drawing of jury panels, selection of jurors, and practice in the
	statutory county courts must conform to that prescribed by law for
	county courts.
	(b)  Practice in a statutory county court is that prescribed
	by law for county courts, except that practice, procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in the statutory
	county courts, other than the number of jurors, that involve those
	matters of concurrent jurisdiction with district courts are
	governed by the laws and rules pertaining to district courts.  This
	section does not affect local rules of administration adopted under
	Section 74.093.
	SECTION 4.05.  Section 25.0010, Government Code, is amended
	by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c), (d), (e),
	and (f) to read as follows:
	(b)  The county attorney or criminal district attorney [and
	sheriff] shall serve each statutory county court as required by
	law.
	(c)  A county sheriff shall in person or by deputy attend a
	statutory county court as required by the court.
	(d)  The county clerk shall serve as clerk of each statutory
	county court. The court officials shall perform the duties and
	responsibilities of their offices and are entitled to the
	compensation, fees, and allowances prescribed by law for those
	offices.
	(e)  The judge of a statutory county court may appoint the
	personnel necessary for the operation of the court, including a
	court coordinator or administrative assistant, if the
	commissioners court has approved the creation of the position.
	(f)  The commissioners court may authorize the employment of
	as many additional assistant district attorneys, assistant county
	attorneys, deputy sheriffs, and clerks as are necessary for a
	statutory county court.
	SECTION 4.06.  (a)  Section 25.0014, Government Code, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0014.  QUALIFICATIONS OF JUDGE. The judge of a
	statutory county court must:
	(1)  be at least 25 years of age;
	(2)  be a United States citizen and have resided in the
	county for at least two years before election or appointment; and
	(3)  be a licensed attorney in this state who has
	practiced law or served as a judge of a court in this state, or both
	combined, for the four years preceding election or appointment,
	unless otherwise provided for by law.
	(b)  The change in law made by this Act to Section 25.0014,
	Government Code, does not apply to a person serving as a statutory
	county court judge immediately before the effective date of this
	Act who met the qualifications of Section 25.0014, Government Code,
	as it existed on that date, and the former law is continued in
	effect for determining that person's qualifications to serve as a
	statutory county court judge.
	SECTION 4.07.  (a)  Subchapter A, Chapter 25, Government
	Code, is amended by adding Sections 25.0016 and 25.00161 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 25.0016.  TERMS OF COURT. The commissioners court, by
	order, shall set at least two terms a year for the statutory county
	court.
	Sec. 25.00161.  PRIVATE PRACTICE OF LAW.  The regular judge
	of a statutory county court shall diligently discharge the duties
	of the office on a full-time basis and may not engage in the private
	practice of law.
	(b)  Section 25.00161, Government Code, as added by this Act,
	applies only to a regular judge serving a term to which the judge is
	elected on or after the effective date of this Act.  A judge serving
	a term to which the judge was elected before the effective date of
	this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the judge was
	elected, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 4.08.  Subsection (t), Section 25.0022, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(t)  To be eligible for assignment under this section, a
	former or retired judge of a statutory probate court must:
	(1)  not have been removed from office;
	(2)  certify under oath to the presiding judge, on a
	form prescribed by the state board of regional judges, that:
	(A)  the judge has not been publicly reprimanded
	or censured by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct; and
	(B)  the judge:
	(i)  did not resign or retire from office
	after the State Commission on Judicial Conduct notified the judge
	of the commencement of a full investigation into an allegation or
	appearance of misconduct or disability of the judge as provided in
	Section 33.022 and before the final disposition of that
	investigation; or
	(ii)  if the judge did resign from office
	under circumstances described by Subparagraph (i), was not publicly
	reprimanded or censured as a result of the investigation;
	(3)  annually demonstrate that the judge has completed
	in the past state fiscal year the educational requirements for an
	active statutory probate court judge;
	(4)  have served as an active judge for at least 72 [96]
	months in a district, statutory probate, statutory county, or
	appellate court; and
	(5)  have developed substantial experience in the
	judge's area of specialty.
	SECTION 4.09.  Section 25.00231, Government Code, is amended
	by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
	follows:
	(c)  In lieu of the bond required by Subsection (b), a county
	may elect to obtain insurance or to self-insure in the amount
	required by Subsection (b) against losses caused by the statutory
	probate court judge's gross negligence in performing the duties of
	office.
	(e)  This section does not apply to an assigned or visiting
	judge sitting by assignment in a statutory probate court.
	SECTION 4.10.  (a)  Subchapter B, Chapter 25, Government
	Code, is amended by adding Sections 25.0033, 25.0034, and 25.0035
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 25.0033.  QUALIFICATIONS OF JUDGE. The judge of a
	statutory probate court must:
	(1)  be at least 25 years of age;
	(2)  be a United States citizen and have resided in the
	county for at least two years before election or appointment; and
	(3)  be a licensed attorney in this state who has
	practiced law or served as a judge of a court in this state, or both
	combined, for the five years preceding election or appointment,
	unless otherwise provided for by law.
	Sec. 25.0034.  PRIVATE PRACTICE OF LAW.  The regular judge of
	a statutory probate court shall diligently discharge the duties of
	the office on a full-time basis and may not engage in the private
	practice of law.
	Sec. 25.0035.  TERMS OF COURT.  The commissioners court, by
	order, shall set at least two terms a year for the statutory probate
	court.
	(b)  Section 25.0033, Government Code, as added by this Act,
	does not apply to a person serving as a statutory probate court
	judge immediately before the effective date of this Act.  The
	qualifications of a person serving as a statutory probate court
	judge on the effective date of this Act are governed by the law in
	effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the
	former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 4.11.  Subsections (g) and (i), Section 25.0042,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(g)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in all cases arising under the Family Code and Section 23.001
	and shall establish a separate docket for a county court at law; the
	county clerk serves as clerk of the court in all other cases. [The
	commissioners court may employ as many deputy sheriffs and bailiffs
	as are necessary to serve the court.]
	(i)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court
	at law involving cases under the Family Code and Section 23.001 are
	governed by this section and the laws and rules pertaining to
	district courts and county courts.] If a case under the Family Code
	or Section 23.001 is tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed
	of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.12.  Subsection (h), Section 25.0102, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(h)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in the county court
	at law involving family law cases and proceedings shall be governed
	by this section and the laws and rules pertaining to district
	courts.] If a family law case or proceeding is tried before a jury,
	the jury shall be composed of 12 members; in all other cases the
	jury shall be composed of six members.
	SECTION 4.13.  Subsections (e) and (f), Section 25.0132,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(e)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in family law cases and proceedings, and the county clerk serves
	as clerk of the court in all other cases. The district clerk shall
	establish a separate docket for a county court at law. [The
	commissioners court may employ as many deputy sheriffs and bailiffs
	as are necessary to serve a county court at law.]
	(f)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court
	at law involving family law cases and proceedings is that
	prescribed by law for district courts and county courts.] If a
	family law case or proceeding is tried before a jury, the jury shall
	be composed of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.14.  Subsection (a), Section 25.0202, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Bosque County has
	concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
	(1)  family law cases and proceedings;
	(2)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
	exceeds $500 but does not exceed $200,000 [$100,000], excluding
	interest, court costs, and attorney's fees; and
	(3)  contested probate matters under Section 4D [5(b)],
	Texas Probate Code.
	SECTION 4.15.  Subsection (b), Section 25.0212, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law does not have [general supervisory
	control or appellate review of the commissioners court or]
	jurisdiction of:
	(1)  felony criminal matters;
	(2)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(3)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct;
	(4)  contested elections; or
	(5)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
	exceeds $200,000 [$100,000], excluding interest, statutory or
	punitive damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as
	alleged on the face of the petition.
	SECTION 4.16.  Subsections (a) and (k), Section 25.0222,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, a statutory county court in Brazoria County
	has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
	(1)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
	exceeds $500 but does not exceed $200,000 [$100,000], excluding
	interest, statutory damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and
	costs, as alleged on the face of the petition;
	(2)  appeals of final rulings and decisions of the
	division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of
	Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of
	the amount in controversy; and
	(3)  family law cases and proceedings and juvenile
	jurisdiction under Section 23.001.
	(k)  The district clerk serves as clerk of the statutory
	county courts in cases instituted in the district courts in which
	the district courts and statutory county courts have concurrent
	jurisdiction, and the county clerk serves as clerk for all other
	cases. [The commissioners court may employ as many additional
	assistant criminal district attorneys, deputy sheriffs, and deputy
	clerks as are necessary to serve the statutory county courts.]
	SECTION 4.17.  Subsections (e) and (f), Section 25.0302,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(e)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law in family law cases and proceedings, and the county clerk serves
	as clerk of the court in all other cases and proceedings. The
	district clerk shall establish a separate docket for a county court
	at law. [The commissioners court may employ the assistant district
	attorneys, deputy sheriffs, and bailiffs necessary to serve each
	county court at law.]
	(f)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court
	at law involving family law cases and proceedings shall be governed
	by this section and the laws and rules pertaining to district
	courts.] If a family law case or proceeding is tried before a jury,
	the jury shall be composed of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.18.  Subsection (b), Section 25.0312, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law does not have [general supervisory
	control or appellate review of the commissioners court or]
	jurisdiction of:
	(1)  felony cases other than writs of habeas corpus;
	(2)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct;
	(3)  contested elections; or
	(4)  appeals from county court.
	SECTION 4.19.  Subsection (b), Section 25.0362, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law does not have [general supervisory
	control or appellate review of the commissioners court or]
	jurisdiction of:
	(1)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct;
	(2)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(3)  contested elections;
	(4)  suits in which the county is a party; or
	(5)  felony cases involving capital murder.
	SECTION 4.20.  Subsection (f), Section 25.0482, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(f)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law for family law cases and proceedings, and the county clerk
	serves as clerk for all other cases and proceedings. [The district
	clerk shall establish a separate docket for a county court at law.
	The commissioners court may employ as many assistant county
	attorneys, deputy sheriffs, and bailiffs as are necessary to serve
	the county courts at law.]
	SECTION 4.21.  Subsection (g), Section 25.0632, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(g)  [Jurors regularly impaneled for the week by the district
	courts of Denton County must include sufficient numbers to serve in
	the statutory county courts and statutory probate courts as well as
	the district courts. The jurors shall be made available by the
	district judge as necessary.] The jury in a statutory county court
	or statutory probate court in all civil or criminal matters is
	composed of 12 members, except that in misdemeanor criminal cases
	and any other case in which the court has jurisdiction that under
	general law would be concurrent with the county court, the jury is
	composed of six members.
	SECTION 4.22.  Subsection (r), Section 25.0732, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(r)  Section [Sections] 25.0006(b) does [and 25.0007 do] not
	apply to County Court at Law No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 of El Paso
	County, Texas.
	SECTION 4.23.  Subsection (a), Section 25.0733, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Sections 25.0732(q) and [25.0732(d), (h), (i), (j),
	(m), (n), (o), (p), (q),] (r)[, and (v)], relating to county courts
	at law in El Paso County, apply to a statutory probate court in El
	Paso County.
	SECTION 4.24.  Subsections (i) and (l), Section 25.0862,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(i)  [The clerk of the statutory county courts and statutory
	probate court shall keep a separate docket for each court.]  The
	clerk shall tax the official court reporter's fees as costs in civil
	actions in the same manner as the fee is taxed in civil cases in the
	district courts.  [The district clerk serves as clerk of the county
	courts in a cause of action arising under the Family Code and an
	appeal of a final ruling or decision of the division of workers'
	compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance regarding
	workers' compensation claims, and the county clerk serves as clerk
	of the court in all other cases.]
	(l)  Each reporter may be made available when not engaged in
	proceedings in their court to report proceedings in all other
	courts. [Practice, appeals, and writs of error in a statutory
	county court are as prescribed by law for county courts and county
	courts at law.] Appeals and writs of error may be taken from
	judgments and orders of the County Courts Nos. 1, 2, and 3 of
	Galveston County and the judges, in civil and criminal cases, in the
	manner prescribed by law for appeals and writs of error. Appeals
	from interlocutory orders of the County Courts Nos. 1, 2, and 3
	appointing a receiver or overruling a motion to vacate or appoint a
	receiver may be taken and are governed by the laws relating to
	appeals from similar orders of district courts.
	SECTION 4.25.  Subsection (f), Section 25.0962, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(f)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court
	at law involving cases in the court's concurrent jurisdiction with
	the district court shall be governed by this section and the laws
	and rules pertaining to district courts as well as county courts.]
	If a case in the court's concurrent jurisdiction with the district
	court is tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed of 12
	members.
	SECTION 4.26.  Subsection (a), Section 25.1033, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A county criminal court at law in Harris County has the
	criminal jurisdiction provided by law for county courts, concurrent
	jurisdiction with civil statutory county courts for Harris County
	to hear appeals of the suspension of a driver's license and original
	proceedings regarding occupational driver's licenses, and
	appellate jurisdiction in appeals of criminal cases from justice
	courts and municipal courts in the county.
	SECTION 4.27.  Subsection (g), Section 25.1042, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(g)  The criminal district attorney is entitled to the same
	fees prescribed by law for prosecutions in the county court. [The
	commissioners court may employ as many additional deputy sheriffs
	and clerks as are necessary to serve a county court at law.]
	SECTION 4.28.  Subsections (e) and (f), Section 25.1072,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(e)  The county clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
	law, except that the district clerk serves as clerk of the court in
	family law cases and proceedings. The district clerk shall
	establish a separate docket for a county court at law. [The
	commissioners court may employ as many assistant district
	attorneys, deputy sheriffs, and bailiffs as are necessary to serve
	the court.]
	(f)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court
	at law involving family law cases and proceedings are governed by
	this section and the laws and rules pertaining to district courts,
	as well as county courts.] If a family law case or proceeding is
	tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.29.  Subsection (b), Section 25.1142, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law does not have [general supervisory
	control or appellate review of the commissioners court or]
	jurisdiction of:
	(1)  civil cases in which the amount in controversy
	exceeds $200,000 [$100,000], excluding interest;
	(2)  felony jury trials;
	(3)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(4)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct; or
	(5)  contested elections.
	SECTION 4.30.  Subsection (b), Section 25.1182, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law's civil jurisdiction concurrent
	with the district court in civil cases is limited to cases in which
	the matter in controversy does not exceed $200,000.  A county court
	at law does not have [general supervisory control or appellate
	review of the commissioners court or] jurisdiction of:
	(1)  suits on behalf of this state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(2)  felony cases involving capital murder;
	(3)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct; or
	(4)  contested elections.
	SECTION 4.31.  Subsection (b), Section 25.1312, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A statutory county court in Kaufman County does not have
	[general supervisory control or appellate review of the
	commissioners court or] jurisdiction of:
	(1)  felony cases involving capital murder;
	(2)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(3)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct; or
	(4)  contested elections.
	SECTION 4.32.  Subsection (m), Section 25.1542, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(m)  [Practice and procedure and rules of evidence governing
	trials in and appeals from a county court apply to a county court at
	law, except that practice and procedure, rules of evidence,
	issuance of process and writs, and all other matters pertaining to
	the conduct of trials and hearings involving family law cases and
	proceedings shall be governed by this section and the laws and rules
	pertaining to district courts as well as county courts.]  In family
	law cases, juries shall be composed of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.33.  Subsection (g), Section 25.1652, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(g)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings involving family
	law matters and proceedings shall be governed by this section and
	the laws and rules pertaining to district courts.] If a family law
	case is tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed of 12
	members.
	SECTION 4.34.  Subsection (i), Section 25.1762, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(i)  [The laws governing the drawing, selection, service,
	and pay of jurors for county courts apply to a county court at law.
	Jurors regularly impaneled for a week by a district court may, at
	the request of the judge of a county court at law, be made available
	by the district judge in the numbers requested and shall serve for
	the week in the county court at law.] In matters of concurrent
	jurisdiction with the district court, if a party to a suit files a
	written request for a 12-member jury with the clerk of the county
	court at law at a reasonable time that is not later than 30 days
	before the date the suit is set for trial, the jury shall be
	composed of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.35.  Subsection (b), Section 25.1772, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law does not have [general supervisory
	control or appellate review of the commissioners court or]
	jurisdiction of:
	(1)  suits on behalf of this state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(2)  felony cases involving capital murder;
	(3)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct; or
	(4)  contested elections.
	SECTION 4.36.  Subsection (e), Section 25.1892, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(e)  [The county attorney or district attorney serves a
	county court at law as required by the judge.] The district clerk
	serves as clerk of a county court at law in cases enumerated in
	Subsection (a)(2), and the county clerk serves as clerk in all other
	cases. The district clerk shall establish a separate docket for a
	county court at law. [The commissioners court may employ as many
	additional assistant county attorneys, deputy sheriffs, and clerks
	as are necessary to serve a county court at law.]
	SECTION 4.37.  Subsection (i), Section 25.1932, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(i)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court
	at law involving cases in the court's concurrent jurisdiction with
	the district court shall be governed by this section and the laws
	and rules pertaining to district courts as well as county courts.]
	If a case in the court's concurrent jurisdiction with the district
	court is tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed of 12
	members.
	SECTION 4.38.  Subsection (b), Section 25.2012, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law does not have [general supervisory
	control or appellate review of the commissioners court or]
	jurisdiction of:
	(1)  felony cases involving capital murder;
	(2)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
	or escheated property;
	(3)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct; or
	(4)  contested elections.
	SECTION 4.39.  Subsection (n), Section 25.2142, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(n)  [A special judge of a county court at law is entitled to
	receive for services actually performed the same amount of
	compensation as the regular judge.] A former judge sitting as a
	visiting judge of a county court at law is entitled to receive for
	services performed the same amount of compensation that the regular
	judge receives, less an amount equal to the pro rata annuity
	received from any state, district, or county retirement fund. An
	active judge sitting as a visiting judge of a county court at law is
	entitled to receive for services performed the same amount of
	compensation that the regular judge receives, less an amount equal
	to the pro rata compensation received from state or county funds as
	salary, including supplements.
	SECTION 4.40.  (a)  Subsection (b), Section 25.2222,
	Government Code, as amended by Chapter 22 (S.B. 124), Acts of the
	72nd Legislature, Regular Session, 1991, and Chapter 265 (H.B. 7),
	Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, is reenacted
	and amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county court at law has concurrent jurisdiction with
	the district court in:
	(1)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
	exceeds $500 and does not exceed $200,000 [$100,000], excluding
	mandatory damages and penalties, attorney's fees, interest, and
	costs;
	(2)  nonjury family law cases and proceedings;
	(3)  final rulings and decisions of the division of
	workers' compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance
	regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of the amount in
	controversy;
	(4)  eminent domain proceedings, both statutory and
	inverse, regardless of the amount in controversy;
	(5)  suits to decide the issue of title to real or
	personal property;
	(6)  suits to recover damages for slander or defamation
	of character;
	(7)  suits for the enforcement of a lien on real
	property;
	(8)  suits for the forfeiture of a corporate charter;
	(9)  suits for the trial of the right to property valued
	at $200 or more that has been levied on under a writ of execution,
	sequestration, or attachment; and
	(10)  suits for the recovery of real property.
	(b)  Subsection (b), Section 25.2222, Government Code, as
	amended by Chapter 746 (H.B. 66), Acts of the 72nd Legislature,
	Regular Session, 1991, is repealed as duplicative of Subsection
	(b), Section 25.2222, Government Code, as amended by Subsection (a)
	of this section.
	SECTION 4.41.  Subsection (a), Section 25.2232, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
	25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Taylor County has:
	(1)  concurrent jurisdiction with the county court in
	the trial of cases involving insanity and approval of applications
	for admission to state hospitals and special schools if admission
	is by application; and
	(2)  concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in
	civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does
	not exceed $200,000 [$100,000], excluding interest.
	SECTION 4.42.  Subsection (i), Section 25.2352, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(i)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings involving family
	law cases and proceedings shall be governed by this section and the
	laws and rules pertaining to district courts.] If a family law case
	is tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.43.  Subsection (i), Section 25.2382, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(i)  [Practice in a county court at law is that prescribed by
	law for county courts, except that practice and procedure, rules of
	evidence, issuance of process and writs, and all other matters
	pertaining to the conduct of trials and hearings in a county court
	at law involving matters enumerated in Subsection (a)(2)(B) or (C)
	shall be governed by this section and the laws and rules pertaining
	to district courts.] If a family law case [in Subsection (a)(2)(B)
	or (C)] is tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed of 12
	members.
	SECTION 4.44.  (a)  Subsection (a), Section 25.2421,
	Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Webb County has the following statutory county courts:
	(1)  the County Court at Law No. 1 of Webb County; [and]
	(2)  the County Court at Law No. 2 of Webb County; and
	(3)  the County Court at Law No. 3 of Webb County.
	(b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), Section 25.2421,
	Government Code, as amended by this Act, the County Court at Law No.
	3 of Webb County is created January 1, 2031, or on an earlier date
	determined by the Commissioners Court of Webb County by an order
	entered in its minutes.
	SECTION 4.45.  Subsections (g) and (h), Section 25.2422,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(g)  The district attorney of the 49th Judicial District
	serves as district attorney of a county court at law, except that
	the county attorney of Webb County prosecutes all juvenile, child
	welfare, mental health, and other civil cases in which the state is
	a party. The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at law
	in the cases enumerated in Subsection (a)(2), and the county clerk
	serves as clerk of a county court at law in all other cases.  [The
	commissioners court may employ as many deputy sheriffs and bailiffs
	as are necessary to serve the court.]
	(h)  [Practice and procedure, rules of evidence, issuance of
	process and writs, and all other matters pertaining to the conduct
	of trials and hearings in a county court at law involving those
	matters of concurrent jurisdiction enumerated in Subsection
	(a)(2)(B) or (C) are governed by this section and the laws and rules
	pertaining to district courts, as well as county courts.] If a
	family law case [enumerated in Subsection (a)(2)(B) or (C)] is
	tried before a jury, the jury shall be composed of 12 members.
	SECTION 4.46.  Subsections (d) and (k), Section 25.2452,
	Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(d)  A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:
	(1)  a case under:
	(A)  the Alcoholic Beverage Code;
	(B)  the Election Code; or
	(C)  the Tax Code;
	(2)  a matter over which the district court has
	exclusive jurisdiction; or
	(3)  a civil case, other than a case under the Family
	Code or the Texas Probate Code, in which the amount in controversy
	is:
	(A)  less than the maximum amount in controversy
	allowed the justice court in Wichita County; or
	(B)  more than $200,000 [$100,000], exclusive of
	punitive or exemplary damages, penalties, interest, costs, and
	attorney's fees.
	(k)  Except as otherwise required by law, if a case is tried
	before a jury, the jury shall be composed of six members and may
	render verdicts by a five to one margin in civil cases and a
	unanimous verdict in criminal cases. [The laws governing the
	drawing, selection, service, and pay of jurors for county courts
	apply to the county courts at law. Jurors regularly impaneled for a
	week by a district court may, on request of the county judge
	exercising the jurisdiction provided by this section or a county
	court at law judge, be made available and shall serve for the week
	in the county court or county court at law.]
	SECTION 4.47.  Subsection (h), Section 25.2462, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(h)  [The county attorney and the county sheriff shall attend
	a county court at law as required by the judge.] The district clerk
	serves as clerk of a county court at law in family law cases and
	proceedings, and the county clerk serves as clerk of the court in
	all other cases and proceedings.
	SECTION 4.48.  Subsection (i), Section 25.2482, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(i)  [The county attorney and the county sheriff shall attend
	a county court at law as required by the judge.] The district clerk
	serves as clerk of a county court at law in family law cases and
	proceedings, and the county clerk serves as clerk of the court in
	all other cases and proceedings.
	SECTION 4.49.  Subsection (e), Section 25.2512, Government
	Code, as effective September 1, 2011, is amended to read as follows:
	(e)  In addition to the qualifications required by Section
	25.0014, a regular judge of a county court at law must have the
	qualifications of a district judge as required by Section 7,
	Article V, Texas Constitution. [A special judge of a county court
	at law with the same qualifications as the regular judge may be
	appointed in the manner provided by law for the appointment of a
	special county judge. A special judge is entitled to the same rate
	of compensation as the regular judge.]
	SECTION 4.50.  (a)  The following provisions of the
	Government Code are repealed:
	(1)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), and (j), Section
	25.0042;
	(2)  Subsections (b), (f), (g), and (h), Section
	25.0052;
	(3)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), and (i), Section
	25.0102;
	(4)  Subsections (d), (g), and (h), Section 25.0132;
	(5)  Subsections (c) and (e), Section 25.0152;
	(6)  Subsections (b), (f), (g), (h), and (i), Section
	25.0162;
	(7)  Subsections (d), (k), (l), (m), (n), (o), (q),
	(s), and (t), Section 25.0172;
	(8)  Subsections (c), (d), (h), (i), and (k), Section
	25.0173;
	(9)  Subsections (c), (d), and (g), Section 25.0202;
	(10)  Subsections (c), (e), and (g), Section 25.0212;
	(11)  Subsections (d), (e), (i), (j), and (n), Section
	25.0222;
	(12)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (h), and (i), Section
	25.0232;
	(13)  Subsections (b), (c), and (e), Section 25.0272;
	(14)  Subsections (b), (c), (g), (h), and (i), Section
	25.0292;
	(15)  Subsections (b), (d), and (g), Section 25.0302;
	(16)  Subsections (c), (e), and (j), Section 25.0312;
	(17)  Subsections (e), (g), (i), (k), (l), and (m),
	Section 25.0332;
	(18)  Subsection (c), Section 25.0362;
	(19)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (i), (j), and (k),
	Section 25.0392;
	(20)  Subsections (b), (c), and (d), Section 25.0452;
	(21)  Subsections (a), (c), (d), and (e), Section
	25.0453;
	(22)  Subsections (b), (d), (e), (g), and (h), Section
	25.0482;
	(23)  Subsections (a), (b), (d), (g), and (h), Section
	25.0512;
	(24)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), and (g), Section
	25.0522;
	(25)  Subsections (b), (h), (i), (j), and (k), Section
	25.0592;
	(26)  Subsections (d), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j),
	Section 25.0593;
	(27)  Subsections (d), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), and
	(k), Section 25.0594;
	(28)  Subsections (c), (d), (f), and (g), Section
	25.0595;
	(29)  Section 25.0596;
	(30)  Subsections (a), (b), and (d), Section 25.0632;
	(31)  Subsections (b), (g), (h), (j), (k), and (l),
	Section 25.0702;
	(32)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (j), and (k), Section
	25.0722;
	(33)  Subsections (d), (g), (h), (i), (j), (m), (n),
	(o), (p), (s), and (v), Section 25.0732;
	(34)  Subsections (c), (d), and (f), Section 25.0733;
	(35)  Subsection (b), Section 25.0742;
	(36)  Subsections (d), (f), (h), (j), and (l), Section
	25.0812;
	(37)  Subsections (f) and (j), Section 25.0862;
	(38)  Subsections (e), (f), and (i), Section 25.0932;
	(39)  Subsections (c), (f), (g), (j), and (k), Section
	25.0942;
	(40)  Subsections (d), (e), and (g), Section 25.0962;
	(41)  Subsections (d), (e), (g), (h), and (k), Section
	25.1032;
	(42)  Subsections (d), (e), (f), (m), and (o), Section
	25.1033;
	(43)  Subsections (c), (h), (k), and (l), Section
	25.1034;
	(44)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (h), and (i), Section
	25.1042;
	(45)  Subsections (b), (d), (g), and (h), Section
	25.1072;
	(46)  Subsections (e), (f), (l), and (o), Section
	25.1092;
	(47)  Subsections (d), (e), (h), (i), (j), and (l),
	Section 25.1102;
	(48)  Section 25.1103;
	(49)  Subsections (b), (c), (f), and (k), Section
	25.1112;
	(50)  Subsections (f), (g), (h), (j), (l), (m), and
	(p), Section 25.1132;
	(51)  Subsections (c), (e), and (g), Section 25.1142;
	(52)  Subsections (b), (e), (f), (h), and (i), Section
	25.1152;
	(53)  Subsections (c), (e), and (h), Section 25.1182;
	(54)  Subsections (c), (g), and (i), Section 25.1252;
	(55)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (h), and (i), Section
	25.1282;
	(56)  Subsections (d), (e), (i), (k), (l), and (n),
	Section 25.1312;
	(57)  Subsections (d), (e), (f), (i), and (j), Section
	25.1322;
	(58)  Subsections (d) and (h), Section 25.1352;
	(59)  Subsections (e), (g), and (i), Section 25.1392;
	(60)  Subsections (b), (c), (e), (h), (i), and (k),
	Section 25.1412;
	(61)  Subsections (d), (g), (h), (l), and (m), Section
	25.1482;
	(62)  Subsections (f), (i), (k), and (n), Section
	25.1542;
	(63)  Subsections (e), (f), and (g), Section 25.1572;
	(64)  Subsections (d), (f), and (h), Section 25.1652;
	(65)  Subsections (b) and (f), Section 25.1672;
	(66)  Subsections (b), (c), and (g), Section 25.1722;
	(67)  Subsections (d), (e), (f), (h), and (i), Section
	25.1732;
	(68)  Subsections (b), (e), (f), and (h), Section
	25.1762;
	(69)  Subsections (c), (e), and (h), Section 25.1772;
	(70)  Subsections (e), (f), (h), (i), and (j), Section
	25.1792;
	(71)  Subsections (c), (h), (i), (j), (k), (l), and
	(q), Section 25.1802;
	(72)  Subsections (b), (d), and (j), Section 25.1832;
	(73)  Subsections (e), (f), and (i), Section 25.1852;
	(74)  Subsections (c), (f), (h), (i), (j), (m), (n),
	(p), (q), and (u), Section 25.1862;
	(75)  Subsection (d), Section 25.1892;
	(76)  Subsections (e), (g), (i), (j), and (k), Section
	25.1902;
	(77)  Subsections (b), (c), (f), (h), and (j), Section
	25.1932;
	(78)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (h), and (j), Section
	25.1972;
	(79)  Subsections (d), (e), (i), (k), (l), and (n),
	Section 25.2012;
	(80)  Subsections (c), (e), and (h), Section 25.2032;
	(81)  Subsections (c), (e), (f), (h), and (i), Section
	25.2072;
	(82)  Subsections (c), (e), (i), (r), (t), and (u),
	Section 25.2142;
	(83)  Subsections (d), (f), (h), (j), and (k), Section
	25.2162;
	(84)  Subsections (c), (g), (h), (i), (k), and (n),
	Section 25.2222;
	(85)  Subsections (c), (e), (g), and (h), Section
	25.2223;
	(86)  Subsections (b), (c), (f), (g), (i), and (j),
	Section 25.2224;
	(87)  Subsections (b), (e), (f), and (g), Section
	25.2232;
	(88)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (g), (i), and (j),
	Section 25.2282;
	(89)  Subsections (b), (e), (i), (k), and (l), Section
	25.2292;
	(90)  Subsections (e), (f), (g), (k), and (l), Section
	25.2293;
	(91)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (g), and (j), Section
	25.2352;
	(92)  Subsections (c), (e), and (h), Section 25.2362;
	(93)  Subsections (c), (f), (g), (h), and (i), Section
	25.2372;
	(94)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), and (j), Section
	25.2382;
	(95)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), and (j), Section
	25.2392;
	(96)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (i), and (k), Section
	25.2412;
	(97)  Subsections (b), (d), (f), (i), and (j), Section
	25.2422;
	(98)  Subsections (f), (h), and (j), Section 25.2452;
	(99)  Subsections (c), (d), (e), (g), (i), and (j),
	Section 25.2462;
	(100)  Subsections (d), (e), (f), (h), (j), and (k),
	Section 25.2482; and
	(101)  Subsections (b) and (i), Section 25.2512.
	(b)  The repeal of Subsection (d), Section 25.1042, and
	Subsection (d), Section 25.2162, Government Code, apply only to a
	regular judge serving a term for which the judge is elected on or
	after the effective date of this Act. A judge serving a term for
	which the judge was elected before the effective date of this Act is
	governed by the law in effect on the date the judge was elected, and
	that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 5.  PROVISIONS RELATING TO JUSTICE AND SMALL CLAIMS COURTS
	SECTION 5.01.  (a)  Subsection (a), Section 27.005,
	Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  For purposes of removal under Chapter 87, Local
	Government Code, "incompetency" in the case of a justice of the
	peace includes the failure of the justice to successfully complete:
	(1)  within one year after the date the justice is first
	elected, an 80-hour course in the performance of the justice's
	duties; and
	(2)  each following year, a 20-hour course in the
	performance of the justice's duties, including not less than 10
	hours of instruction regarding substantive, procedural, and
	evidentiary law in civil matters.
	(b)  Subsection (a), Section 27.005, Government Code, as
	amended by this section, applies to a justice of the peace serving
	on or after the effective date of this article, regardless of the
	date the justice was elected or appointed.
	SECTION 5.02.  Subchapter C, Chapter 27, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 27.060 to read as follows:
	Sec. 27.060.  SMALL CLAIMS. (a)  A justice court shall
	conduct proceedings in a small claims case, as that term is defined
	by the supreme court, in accordance with rules of civil procedure
	promulgated by the supreme court to ensure the fair, expeditious,
	and inexpensive resolution of small claims cases.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), rules of the
	supreme court must provide that:
	(1)  if both parties appear, the judge shall proceed to
	hear the case;
	(2)  formal pleadings other than the statement are not
	required;
	(3)  the judge shall hear the testimony of the parties
	and the witnesses that the parties produce and shall consider the
	other evidence offered;
	(4)  the hearing is informal, with the sole objective
	being to dispense speedy justice between the parties;
	(5)  discovery is limited to that considered
	appropriate and permitted by the judge; and
	(6)  the judge shall develop the facts of the case, and
	for that purpose may question a witness or party and may summon any
	party to appear as a witness as the judge considers necessary to a
	correct judgment and speedy disposition of the case.
	(c)  The rules of the supreme court must provide specific
	procedures for an action by:
	(1)  an assignee of a claim or other person seeking to
	bring an action on an assigned claim;
	(2)  a person primarily engaged in the business of
	lending money at interest; or
	(3)  a collection agency or collection agent.
	(d)  The rules adopted by the supreme court may not:
	(1)  require that a party in a case be represented by an
	attorney;
	(2)  be so complex that a reasonable person without
	legal training would have difficulty understanding or applying the
	rules; or
	(3)  require that discovery rules adopted under the
	Texas Rules of Civil Procedure or the Texas Rules of Evidence be
	applied except to the extent the justice of the peace hearing the
	case determines that the rules must be followed to ensure that the
	proceeding is fair to all parties.
	(e)  A committee established by the supreme court to
	recommend rules to be adopted under this section must include
	justices of the peace.
	SECTION 5.03.  Subchapter C, Chapter 27, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 27.061 to read as follows:
	Sec. 27.061.  RULES OF ADMINISTRATION.  The justices of the
	peace in each county shall, by majority vote, adopt local rules of
	administration.
	SECTION 5.04.  Subchapter E, Chapter 15, Civil Practice and
	Remedies Code, is amended by adding Section 15.0821 to read as
	follows:
	Sec. 15.0821.  ADMINISTRATIVE RULES FOR TRANSFER.  The
	justices of the peace in each county shall, by majority vote, adopt
	local rules of administration regarding the transfer of a pending
	case from one precinct to a different precinct.
	SECTION 5.05.  Article 4.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
	amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
	(e)  The justices of the peace in each county shall, by
	majority vote, adopt local rules of administration regarding the
	transfer of a pending misdemeanor case from one precinct to a
	different precinct.
	SECTION 5.06.  (a)  Chapter 28, Government Code, is
	repealed.
	(b)  On the effective date of this section, each small claims
	court under Chapter 28, Government Code, is abolished.
	SECTION 5.07.  Not later than May 1, 2013, the Texas Supreme
	Court shall promulgate:
	(1)  rules to define cases that constitute small claims
	cases;
	(2)  rules of civil procedure applicable to small
	claims cases as required by Section 27.060, Government Code, as
	added by this article; and
	(3)  rules for eviction proceedings.
	SECTION 5.08.  (a)  Immediately before the date the small
	claims court in a county is abolished in accordance with this
	article, the justice of the peace sitting as judge of that court
	shall transfer all cases pending in the court to a justice court in
	the county.
	(b)  When a case is transferred as provided by Subsection (a)
	of this section, all processes, writs, bonds, recognizances, or
	other obligations issued from the transferring court are returnable
	to the court to which the case is transferred as if originally
	issued by that court. The obligees on all bonds and recognizances
	taken in and for the transferring court and all witnesses summoned
	to appear in the transferring court are required to appear before
	the court to which the case is transferred as if originally required
	to appear before that court.
	SECTION 5.09.  Sections 5.02 and 5.06 of this article take
	effect May 1, 2013.
	ARTICLE 6.  ASSOCIATE JUDGES
	SECTION 6.01.  Subtitle D, Title 2, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Chapter 54A to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 54A.  ASSOCIATE JUDGES
	SUBCHAPTER A. CRIMINAL ASSOCIATE JUDGES
	Sec. 54A.001.  APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies to a
	district court or a statutory county court that hears criminal
	cases.
	Sec. 54A.002.  APPOINTMENT. (a)  A judge of a court subject
	to this subchapter may appoint a full-time or part-time associate
	judge to perform the duties authorized by this subchapter if the
	commissioners court of the county in which the court has
	jurisdiction has authorized the creation of an associate judge
	position.
	(b)  If a court has jurisdiction in more than one county, an
	associate judge appointed by that court may serve only in a county
	in which the commissioners court has authorized the appointment.
	(c)  If more than one court in a county is subject to this
	subchapter, the commissioners court may authorize the appointment
	of an associate judge for each court or may authorize one or more
	associate judges to share service with two or more courts.
	(d)  If an associate judge serves more than one court, the
	associate judge's appointment must be made as established by local
	rule, but in no event by less than a vote of two-thirds of the judges
	under whom the associate judge serves.
	Sec. 54A.003.  QUALIFICATIONS. To qualify for appointment
	as an associate judge under this subchapter, a person must:
	(1)  be a resident of this state and one of the counties
	the person will serve;
	(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
	for at least four years;
	(3)  not have been removed from office by impeachment,
	by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the legislature,
	by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition of the judge's
	court; and
	(4)  not have resigned from office after having
	received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided by Section 33.022
	and before final disposition of the proceedings.
	Sec. 54A.004.  COMPENSATION. (a)  An associate judge shall
	be paid a salary determined by the commissioners court of the county
	in which the associate judge serves.
	(b)  If an associate judge serves in more than one county,
	the associate judge shall be paid a salary as determined by
	agreement of the commissioners courts of the counties in which the
	associate judge serves.
	(c)  The associate judge's salary is paid from the county
	fund available for payment of officers' salaries.
	Sec. 54A.005.  TERMINATION. (a)  An associate judge who
	serves a single court serves at the will of the judge of that court.
	(b)  The employment of an associate judge who serves more
	than two courts may only be terminated by a majority vote of all the
	judges of the courts the associate judge serves.
	(c)  The employment of an associate judge who serves two
	courts may be terminated by either of the judges of the courts the
	associate judge serves.
	(d)  To terminate an associate judge's employment, the
	appropriate judges must sign a written order of termination. The
	order must state:
	(1)  the associate judge's name and state bar
	identification number;
	(2)  each court ordering termination; and
	(3)  the date the associate judge's employment ends.
	Sec. 54A.006.  PROCEEDINGS THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (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(10), Code of Criminal Procedure,
	notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of Criminal Procedure; and
	(11)  any other matter the judge considers necessary
	and proper.
	(b)  An associate judge may accept an agreed plea of guilty
	or no contest from a defendant charged with misdemeanor, felony, or
	both misdemeanor and felony offenses and may assess punishment if a
	plea agreement is announced on the record between the defendant and
	the state.
	(c)  An associate judge has all of the powers of a magistrate
	under the laws of this state and may administer an oath for any
	purpose.
	(d)  An associate judge may select a jury. Except as
	provided in Subsection (b), an associate judge may not preside over
	a trial on the merits, whether or not the trial is before a jury.
	Sec. 54A.007.  ORDER OF REFERRAL. (a)  To refer one or more
	cases to an associate judge, a judge must issue a written order of
	referral that specifies the associate judge's duties.
	(b)  An order of referral may:
	(1)  limit the powers of the associate judge and direct
	the associate judge to report only on specific issues, do
	particular acts, or receive and report on evidence only;
	(2)  set the time and place for the hearing;
	(3)  prescribe a closing date for the hearing;
	(4)  provide a date for filing the associate judge's
	findings;
	(5)  designate proceedings for more than one case over
	which the associate judge shall preside;
	(6)  direct the associate judge to call the court's
	docket; and
	(7)  set forth general powers and limitations or
	authority of the associate judge applicable to any case referred.
	Sec. 54A.008.  POWERS. (a)  Except as limited by an order of
	referral, an associate judge to whom a case is referred may:
	(1)  conduct hearings;
	(2)  hear evidence;
	(3)  compel production of relevant evidence;
	(4)  rule on the admissibility of evidence;
	(5)  issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
	(6)  examine a witness;
	(7)  swear a witness for a hearing;
	(8)  make findings of fact on evidence;
	(9)  formulate conclusions of law;
	(10)  rule on pretrial motions;
	(11)  recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be
	made in a case;
	(12)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
	(13)  order the attachment of a witness or party who
	fails to obey a subpoena;
	(14)  accept a plea of guilty from a defendant charged
	with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses;
	(15)  select a jury;
	(16)  notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of
	Criminal Procedure, issue a search warrant, including a search
	warrant under Article 18.02(10), Code of Criminal Procedure; and
	(17)  take action as necessary and proper for the
	efficient performance of the duties required by the order of
	referral.
	(b)  An associate judge may not enter a ruling on any issue of
	law or fact if that ruling could result in dismissal or require
	dismissal of a pending criminal prosecution, but the associate
	judge may make findings, conclusions, and recommendations on those
	issues.
	(c)  Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate
	judge who is appointed by a district or statutory county court judge
	and to whom a case is referred may accept a plea of guilty or nolo
	contendere in a misdemeanor case for a county criminal court. The
	associate judge shall forward any fee or fine collected for the
	misdemeanor offense to the county clerk.
	(d)  An associate judge may, in the interest of justice,
	refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a
	timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the
	merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party.
	Sec. 54A.009.  ATTENDANCE OF BAILIFF. A bailiff shall
	attend a hearing by an associate judge if directed by the referring
	court.
	Sec. 54A.010.  COURT REPORTER. At the request of a party,
	the court shall provide a court reporter to record the proceedings
	before the associate judge.
	Sec. 54A.011.  WITNESS. (a)  A witness appearing before an
	associate judge is subject to the penalties for perjury provided by
	law.
	(b)  A referring court may issue attachment against and may
	fine or imprison a witness whose failure to appear after being
	summoned or whose refusal to answer questions has been certified to
	the court.
	Sec. 54A.012.  PAPERS TRANSMITTED TO JUDGE. At the
	conclusion of the proceedings, an associate judge shall transmit to
	the referring court any papers relating to the case, including the
	associate judge's findings, conclusions, orders, recommendations,
	or other action taken.
	Sec. 54A.013.  JUDICIAL ACTION. (a)  Not later than the
	30th day after the date an action is taken by an associate judge, a
	referring court may modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit
	for further information the action taken by the associate judge.
	(b)  If the court does not modify, correct, reject, reverse,
	or recommit an action to the associate judge, the action becomes the
	decree of the court.
	Sec. 54A.014.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. An associate judge has
	the same judicial immunity as a district judge.
	[Sections 54A.015-54A.100 reserved for expansion]
	SUBCHAPTER B. CIVIL ASSOCIATE JUDGES
	Sec. 54A.101.  APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies to a
	district court or a statutory county court that is assigned civil
	cases.
	Sec. 54A.102.  APPOINTMENT. (a)  A judge of a court subject
	to this subchapter may appoint a full-time or part-time associate
	judge to perform the duties authorized by this subchapter if the
	commissioners court of the county in which the court has
	jurisdiction has authorized the creation of an associate judge
	position.
	(b)  If a district court has jurisdiction in more than one
	county, an associate judge appointed by that court may serve only in
	a county in which the commissioners court has authorized the
	appointment.
	(c)  If more than one court in a county is subject to this
	subchapter, the commissioners court may authorize the appointment
	of an associate judge for each court or may authorize one or more
	associate judges to share service with two or more courts.
	(d)  If an associate judge serves more than one court, the
	associate judge's appointment must be made as established by local
	rule, but in no event by less than a vote of two-thirds of the judges
	under whom the associate judge serves.
	Sec. 54A.103.  QUALIFICATIONS. To qualify for appointment
	as an associate judge under this subchapter, a person must:
	(1)  be a resident of this state and one of the counties
	the person will serve;
	(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
	for at least four years;
	(3)  not have been removed from office by impeachment,
	by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the legislature,
	by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition of the judge's
	court; and
	(4)  not have resigned from office after having
	received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided in Section 33.022
	and before final disposition of the proceedings.
	Sec. 54A.104.  COMPENSATION. (a)  An associate judge shall
	be paid a salary determined by the commissioners court of the county
	in which the associate judge serves.
	(b)  If an associate judge serves in more than one county,
	the associate judge shall be paid a salary as determined by
	agreement of the commissioners courts of the counties in which the
	associate judge serves.
	(c)  The associate judge's salary is paid from the county
	fund available for payment of officers' salaries.
	Sec. 54A.105.  TERMINATION. (a)  An associate judge who
	serves a single court serves at the will of the judge of that court.
	(b)  The employment of an associate judge who serves more
	than two courts may only be terminated by a majority vote of all the
	judges of the courts the associate judge serves.
	(c)  The employment of an associate judge who serves two
	courts may be terminated by either of the judges of the courts the
	associate judge serves.
	(d)  To terminate an associate judge's employment, the
	appropriate judges must sign a written order of termination. The
	order must state:
	(1)  the associate judge's name and state bar
	identification number;
	(2)  each court ordering termination; and
	(3)  the date the associate judge's employment ends.
	Sec. 54A.106.  CASES THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (a)  Except as
	provided by this section, a judge of a court may refer any civil
	case or portion of a civil case to an associate judge for
	resolution.
	(b)  Unless a party files a written objection to the
	associate judge hearing a trial on the merits, the judge may refer
	the trial to the associate judge. A trial on the merits is any final
	adjudication from which an appeal may be taken to a court of
	appeals.
	(c)  A party must file an objection to an associate judge
	hearing a trial on the merits or presiding at a jury trial not later
	than the 10th day after the date the party receives notice that the
	associate judge will hear the trial. If an objection is filed, the
	referring court shall hear the trial on the merits or preside at a
	jury trial.
	Sec. 54A.107.  METHODS OF REFERRAL. (a)  A case may be
	referred to an associate judge by an order of referral in a specific
	case or by an omnibus order.
	(b)  The order of referral may limit the powers or duties of
	an associate judge.
	Sec. 54A.108.  POWERS. (a)  Except as limited by an order of
	referral, an associate judge may:
	(1)  conduct hearings;
	(2)  hear evidence;
	(3)  compel production of relevant evidence;
	(4)  rule on the admissibility of evidence;
	(5)  issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
	(6)  examine a witness;
	(7)  swear a witness for a hearing;
	(8)  make findings of fact on evidence;
	(9)  formulate conclusions of law;
	(10)  rule on pretrial motions;
	(11)  recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be
	made in a case;
	(12)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
	(13)  order the attachment of a witness or party who
	fails to obey a subpoena; and
	(14)  take action as necessary and proper for the
	efficient performance of the duties required by the order of
	referral.
	(b)  An associate judge may, in the interest of justice,
	refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a
	timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the
	merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party.
	Sec. 54A.109.  WITNESS. (a)  A witness appearing before an
	associate judge is subject to the penalties for perjury provided by
	law.
	(b)  A referring court may fine or imprison a witness who:
	(1)  failed to appear before an associate judge after
	being summoned; or
	(2)  improperly refused to answer questions if the
	refusal has been certified to the court by the associate judge.
	Sec. 54A.110.  COURT REPORTER; RECORD. (a)  A court
	reporter may be provided during a hearing held by an associate judge
	appointed under this subchapter. A court reporter is required to be
	provided when the associate judge presides over a jury trial.
	(b)  A party, the associate judge, or the referring court may
	provide for a reporter during the hearing if one is not otherwise
	provided.
	(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (a), in the absence of
	a court reporter or on agreement of the parties, the record may be
	preserved by any means approved by the associate judge.
	(d)  The referring court or associate judge may assess the
	expense of preserving the record under Subsection (c) as costs.
	(e)  On appeal of the associate judge's report or proposed
	order, the referring court may consider testimony or other evidence
	in the record if the record is taken by a court reporter.
	Sec. 54A.111.  NOTICE OF DECISION; APPEAL. (a)  After
	hearing a matter, an associate judge shall notify each attorney
	participating in the hearing of the associate judge's decision. An
	associate judge's decision has the same force and effect as an order
	of the referring court unless a party appeals the decision as
	provided by Subsection (b).
	(b)  To appeal an associate judge's decision, other than the
	issuance of a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction,
	a party must file an appeal in the referring court not later than
	the seventh day after the date the party receives notice of the
	decision under Subsection (a).
	(c)  A temporary restraining order issued by an associate
	judge is effective immediately and expires on the 15th day after the
	date of issuance unless, after a hearing, the order is modified or
	extended by the associate judge or referring judge.
	(d)  A temporary injunction issued by an associate judge is
	effective immediately and continues during the pendency of a trial
	unless, after a hearing, the order is modified by a referring judge.
	(e)  A matter appealed to the referring court shall be tried
	de novo and is limited to only those matters specified in the
	appeal. Except on leave of court, a party may not submit on appeal
	any additional evidence or pleadings.
	Sec. 54A.112.  NOTICE OF RIGHT TO DE NOVO HEARING; WAIVER.
	(a)  Notice of the right to a de novo hearing before the referring
	court shall be given to all parties.
	(b)  The notice may be given:
	(1)  by oral statement in open court;
	(2)  by posting inside or outside the courtroom of the
	referring court; or
	(3)  as otherwise directed by the referring court.
	(c)  Before the start of a hearing by an associate judge, a
	party may waive the right of a de novo hearing before the referring
	court in writing or on the record.
	Sec. 54A.113.  ORDER OF COURT. (a)  Pending a de novo
	hearing before the referring court, a proposed order or judgment of
	the associate judge is in full force and effect and is enforceable
	as an order or judgment of the referring court, except for an order
	providing for the appointment of a receiver.
	(b)  If a request for a de novo hearing before the referring
	court is not timely filed or the right to a de novo hearing before
	the referring court is waived, the proposed order or judgment of the
	associate judge becomes the order or judgment of the referring
	court only on the referring court's signing the proposed order or
	judgment.
	(c)  An order by an associate judge for the temporary
	detention or incarceration of a witness or party shall be presented
	to the referring court on the day the witness or party is detained
	or incarcerated. The referring court, without prejudice to the
	right to a de novo hearing provided by Section 54A.115, may approve
	the temporary detention or incarceration or may order the release
	of the party or witness, with or without bond, pending a de novo
	hearing. If the referring court is not immediately available, the
	associate judge may order the release of the party or witness, with
	or without bond, pending a de novo hearing or may continue the
	person's detention or incarceration for not more than 72 hours.
	Sec. 54A.114.  JUDICIAL ACTION ON ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S PROPOSED
	ORDER OR JUDGMENT. Unless a party files a written request for a de
	novo hearing before the referring court, the referring court may:
	(1)  adopt, modify, or reject the associate judge's
	proposed order or judgment;
	(2)  hear additional evidence; or
	(3)  recommit the matter to the associate judge for
	further proceedings.
	Sec. 54A.115.  DE NOVO HEARING. (a)  A party may request a
	de novo hearing before the referring court by filing with the clerk
	of the referring court a written request not later than the seventh
	working day after the date the party receives notice of the
	substance of the associate judge's decision as provided by Section
	54A.111.
	(b)  A request for a de novo hearing under this section must
	specify the issues that will be presented to the referring court.
	The de novo hearing is limited to the specified issues.
	(c)  Notice of a request for a de novo hearing before the
	referring court shall be given to the opposing attorney in the
	manner provided by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
	(d)  If a request for a de novo hearing before the referring
	court is filed by a party, any other party may file a request for a
	de novo hearing before the referring court not later than the
	seventh working day after the date the initial request was filed.
	(e)  The referring court, after notice to the parties, shall
	hold a de novo hearing not later than the 30th day after the date the
	initial request for a de novo hearing was filed with the clerk of
	the referring court.
	(f)  In the de novo hearing before the referring court, the
	parties may present witnesses on the issues specified in the
	request for hearing. The referring court may also consider the
	record from the hearing before the associate judge, including the
	charge to and verdict returned by a jury, if the record was taken by
	a court reporter.
	(g)  The denial of relief to a party after a de novo hearing
	under this section or a party's waiver of the right to a de novo
	hearing before the referring court does not affect the right of a
	party to file a motion for new trial, a motion for judgment
	notwithstanding the verdict, or other posttrial motions.
	(h)  A party may not demand a second jury in a de novo hearing
	before the referring court if the associate judge's proposed order
	or judgment resulted from a jury trial.
	Sec. 54A.116.  APPELLATE REVIEW. (a)  A party's failure to
	request a de novo hearing before the referring court or a party's
	waiver of the right to request a de novo hearing before the
	referring court does not deprive the party of the right to appeal to
	or request other relief from a court of appeals or the supreme
	court.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the date an order
	or judgment by the referring court is signed is the controlling date
	for the purposes of appeal to or request for other relief from a
	court of appeals or the supreme court.
	(c)  The date an agreed order or a default order is signed by
	an associate judge is the controlling date for the purpose of an
	appeal to, or a request for other relief relating to the order from,
	a court of appeals or the supreme court.
	Sec. 54A.117.  JUDICIAL ACTION. (a)  Not later than the
	30th day after the date an action is taken by an associate judge, a
	referring court may modify, correct, reject, reverse, or recommit
	for further information the action taken by the associate judge.
	(b)  If the court does not modify, correct, reject, reverse,
	or recommit an action to the associate judge, the action becomes the
	decree of the court.
	Sec. 54A.118.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY.  An associate judge
	appointed under this subchapter has the judicial immunity of a
	district judge.
	SECTION 6.02.  Subchapter G, Chapter 54, Government Code, is
	transferred to Chapter 54A, Government Code, as added by this Act,
	redesignated as Subchapter C, Chapter 54A, Government Code, and
	amended to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER C [G]. STATUTORY PROBATE COURT ASSOCIATE JUDGES
	Sec. 54A.201 [54.601].  DEFINITION. In this subchapter,
	"statutory probate court" has the meaning assigned by Section 3,
	Texas Probate Code.
	Sec. 54A.202.  APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies to a
	statutory probate court.
	Sec. 54A.203 [54.603].  APPOINTMENT. (a)  After obtaining
	the approval of the commissioners court to create an associate
	judge position, the judge of a statutory probate court by order may
	appoint one or more full-time or part-time [a person to act as]
	associate judges to perform the duties authorized by this
	subchapter [judge for the statutory probate court].
	(b)  If a statutory probate court has jurisdiction in more
	than one county, an associate judge appointed by that court may
	serve only in a county in which the commissioners court has
	authorized the appointment.
	(c)  The commissioners court may authorize the appointment
	of an associate judge for each court or may authorize one or more
	associate judges to share service with two or more courts, if more
	than one statutory probate court exists in a county.
	(d) [(c)]  If an associate judge serves more than one court,
	the associate judge's appointment must be made with the unanimous
	approval of all the judges under whom the associate judge serves.
	[(d)     An associate judge must meet the qualifications to
	serve as a judge of the court to which the associate judge is
	appointed.]
	(e)  An associate judge appointed under this subchapter may
	serve as an associate judge appointed under Section 574.0085,
	Health and Safety Code.
	Sec. 54A.204.  QUALIFICATIONS. To qualify for appointment
	as an associate judge under this subchapter, a person must:
	(1)  be a resident of this state and one of the counties
	the person will serve;
	(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
	for at least five years;
	(3)  not have been removed from office by impeachment,
	by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the legislature,
	by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition of the judge's
	court; and
	(4)  not have resigned from office after having
	received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided in Section 33.022
	and before final disposition of the proceedings.
	Sec. 54A.205 [54.605].  COMPENSATION. (a)  An associate
	judge is entitled to the compensation set by the appointing judge
	and approved by the commissioners court or commissioners courts of
	the counties in which the associate judge serves. [The salary of
	the associate judge may not exceed the salary of the appointing
	judge.]
	(b)  If an associate judge serves in more than one county,
	the associate judge shall be paid a salary as determined by
	agreement of the commissioners courts of the counties in which the
	associate judge serves.
	(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (d) [(c)], the
	compensation of the associate judge shall be paid by the county from
	the county general fund.  The compensation must be paid in the same
	manner that the appointing judge's salary is paid.
	(d) [(c)]  On the recommendation of the statutory probate
	court judges in the county and subject to the approval of the county
	commissioners court, the county may pay all or part of the
	compensation of the associate judge from the excess contributions
	remitted to the county under Section 25.00212 and deposited in the
	contributions fund created under Section 25.00213.
	Sec. 54A.206 [54.604].  TERMINATION OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE.
	(a)  An associate judge who serves a single court serves at the will
	of the judge of that court.
	(b)  The employment of an associate judge who serves more
	than two courts may only be terminated by a majority vote of all the
	judges of the courts that the associate judge serves.
	(c)  The employment of an associate judge who serves two
	courts may be terminated by either of the judges of the courts that
	the associate judge serves.
	(d)  The appointment of the associate judge terminates if:
	(1)  the associate judge becomes a candidate for
	election to public office; or
	(2)  the commissioners court does not appropriate funds
	in the county's budget to pay the salary of the associate judge.
	(e)  If an associate judge serves a single court and the
	appointing judge vacates the judge's office, the associate judge's
	employment continues, subject to Subsections (d) and (h), unless
	the successor appointed or elected judge terminates that
	employment.
	(f)  If an associate judge serves two courts and one of the
	appointing judges vacates the judge's office, the associate judge's
	employment continues, subject to Subsections (d) and (h), unless
	the successor appointed or elected judge terminates that employment
	or the judge of the other court served by the associate judge
	terminates that employment as provided by Subsection (c).
	(g)  If an associate judge serves more than two courts and an
	appointing judge vacates the judge's office, the associate judge's
	employment continues, subject to Subsections (d) and (h), unless:
	(1)  if no successor judge has been elected or
	appointed, the majority of the judges of the other courts the
	associate judge serves vote to terminate that employment; or
	(2)  if a successor judge has been elected or
	appointed, the majority of the judges of the courts the associate
	judge serves, including the successor judge, vote to terminate that
	employment as provided by Subsection (b).
	(h)  Notwithstanding the powers of an associate judge
	provided by Section 54A.209 [54.610], an associate judge whose
	employment continues as provided by Subsection (e), (f), or (g)
	after the judge of a court served by the associate judge vacates the
	judge's office may perform administrative functions with respect to
	that court, but may not perform any judicial function, including
	any power prescribed by Section 54A.209 [54.610], with respect to
	that court until a successor judge is appointed or elected.
	Sec. 54A.207 [54.608].  CASES THAT MAY BE REFERRED.
	(a)  Except as provided by this section, a judge of a court may
	refer to an associate judge any aspect of a suit over which the
	probate court has jurisdiction, including any matter ancillary to
	the suit.
	(b)  Unless a party files a written objection to the
	associate judge hearing a trial on the merits, the judge may refer
	the trial to the associate judge. A trial on the merits is any final
	adjudication from which an appeal may be taken to a court of
	appeals.
	(c)  A party must file an objection to an associate judge
	hearing a trial on the merits or presiding at a jury trial not later
	than the 10th day after the date the party receives notice that the
	associate judge will hear the trial. If an objection is filed, the
	referring court shall hear the trial on the merits or preside at a
	jury trial.
	Sec. 54A.2071 [54.606].  OATH. An associate judge must take
	the constitutional oath of office required of appointed officers of
	this state.
	[Sec.   54.607.     MAGISTRATE. An associate judge appointed
	under this subchapter is a magistrate.]
	Sec. 54A.208 [54.609].  METHODS [ORDER] OF REFERRAL.  (a)  A
	case may be referred to an associate judge by an order of referral
	in a specific case or by an omnibus order [In referring a case to an
	associate judge, the judge of the referring court shall render:
	[(1)  an individual order of referral; or
	[(2)  a general order of referral] specifying the class
	and type of cases to be referred [heard by the associate judge].
	(b)  The order of referral may limit the power or duties of an
	associate judge.
	Sec. 54A.209 [54.610].  POWERS OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE. (a)
	Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may:
	(1)  conduct a hearing;
	(2)  hear evidence;
	(3)  compel production of relevant evidence;
	(4)  rule on the admissibility of evidence;
	(5)  issue a summons for the appearance of witnesses;
	(6)  examine a witness;
	(7)  swear a witness for a hearing;
	(8)  make findings of fact on evidence;
	(9)  formulate conclusions of law;
	(10)  rule on pretrial motions;
	(11)  recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment [an
	order] to be made [rendered] in a case;
	(12) [(11)]  regulate all proceedings in a hearing
	before the associate judge;
	(13) [(12)]  take action as necessary and proper for
	the efficient performance of the [associate judge's] duties
	required by the order of referral;
	(14) [(13)]  order the attachment of a witness or party
	who fails to obey a subpoena;
	(15) [(14)]  order the detention of a witness or party
	found guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court
	as provided by Section 54A.214 [54.616];
	(16) [(15)]  without prejudice to the right to a de novo
	hearing under Section 54A.216 [54.618], render and sign:
	(A)  a final order agreed to in writing as to both
	form and substance by all parties;
	(B)  a final default order;
	(C)  a temporary order;
	(D)  a final order in a case in which a party files
	an unrevoked waiver made in accordance with Rule 119, Texas Rules of
	Civil Procedure, that waives notice to the party of the final
	hearing or waives the party's appearance at the final hearing;
	(E)  an order specifying that the court clerk
	shall issue:
	(i)  letters testamentary or of
	administration; or
	(ii)  letters of guardianship; or
	(F)  an order for inpatient or outpatient mental
	health, mental retardation, or chemical dependency services or an
	order authorizing psychoactive medications; and
	(17) [(16)]  sign a final order that includes a waiver
	of the right to a de novo hearing in accordance with Section 54A.216
	[54.618].
	(b)  An associate judge may, in the interest of justice,
	refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a
	timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the
	merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party.
	(c)  An order described by Subsection (a)(16) [(a)(15)] that
	is rendered and signed by an associate judge constitutes an order of
	the referring court.  The judge of the referring court shall sign
	the order not later than the 30th day after the date the associate
	judge signs the order.
	(d)  An answer filed by or on behalf of a party who previously
	filed a waiver described in Subsection (a)(16)(D) [(a)(15)(D)]
	revokes that waiver.
	Sec. 54A.2091 [54.611].  ATTENDANCE OF BAILIFF. A bailiff
	shall attend a hearing conducted by an associate judge if directed
	to attend by the referring court.
	[Sec.   54.612.     COURT REPORTER. (a) A court reporter may be
	provided during a hearing held by an associate judge appointed
	under this subchapter unless required by other law.     A court
	reporter is required to be provided when the associate judge
	presides over a jury trial.
	[(b)     A party, the associate judge, or the referring court
	may provide for a reporter during the hearing, if one is not
	otherwise provided.
	[(c)     Except as provided by Subsection (a), in the absence of
	a court reporter or on agreement of the parties, the record may be
	preserved by any means approved by the referring court.
	[(d)     The referring court or associate judge may impose on a
	party the expense of preserving the record as a court cost.
	[(e)     On a request for a de novo hearing, the referring court
	may consider testimony or other evidence in the record, if the
	record is taken by a court reporter, in addition to witnesses or
	other matters presented under Section 54.618.]
	Sec. 54A.210  [54.613].  WITNESS. (a)  A witness appearing
	before an associate judge is subject to the penalties for perjury
	provided by law.
	(b)  A referring court may issue attachment against and may
	fine or imprison a witness whose failure [who:
	[(1)  fails] to appear [before an associate judge]
	after being summoned or whose refusal to answer questions has been
	certified to the court[; or
	[(2)     improperly refuses to answer a question if the
	refusal has been certified to the court by the associate judge].
	Sec. 54A.211.  COURT REPORTER; RECORD. (a)  A court
	reporter may be provided during a hearing held by an associate judge
	appointed under this subchapter. A court reporter is required to be
	provided when the associate judge presides over a jury trial.
	(b)  A party, the associate judge, or the referring court may
	provide for a reporter during the hearing if one is not otherwise
	provided.
	(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (a), in the absence of
	a court reporter or on agreement of the parties, the record may be
	preserved by any means approved by the associate judge.
	(d)  The referring court or associate judge may assess the
	expense of preserving the record as court costs.
	(e)  On appeal of the associate judge's report or proposed
	order, the referring court may consider testimony or other evidence
	in the record if the record is taken by a court reporter.
	Sec. 54A.212 [54.614].  REPORT. (a) The associate judge's
	report may contain the associate judge's findings, conclusions, or
	recommendations and may be in the form of a proposed order.
	(b)  The associate judge shall prepare a [written] report in
	the form directed by the referring court, including in the form of:
	(1)  a notation on the referring court's docket sheet or
	in the court's jacket; or
	(2)  a proposed order.
	(c) [(b)]  After a hearing, the associate judge shall provide
	the parties participating in the hearing notice of the substance of
	the associate judge's report, including any proposed order.
	(d) [(c)]  Notice may be given to the parties:
	(1)  in open court, by an oral statement, or by
	providing a copy of the associate judge's written report, including
	any proposed order;
	(2)  by certified mail, return receipt requested;
	(3)  by facsimile transmission; or
	(4)  by electronic mail.
	(e) [(d)]  There is a rebuttable presumption that notice is
	received on the date stated on:
	(1)  the signed return receipt, if notice was provided
	by certified mail;
	(2)  the confirmation page produced by the facsimile
	machine, if notice was provided by facsimile transmission; or
	(3)  a printout evidencing submission of the electronic
	mail message, if notice was provided by electronic mail.
	(f) [(e)]  After a hearing conducted by an associate judge,
	the associate judge shall send the associate judge's signed and
	dated report, including any proposed order, and all other papers
	relating to the case to the referring court.
	Sec. 54A.213  [54.615].  NOTICE OF RIGHT TO DE NOVO HEARING
	BEFORE REFERRING COURT. (a)  An associate judge shall give all
	parties notice of the right to a de novo hearing before the
	referring court.
	(b)  The notice may be given:
	(1)  by oral statement in open court;
	(2)  by posting inside or outside the courtroom of the
	referring court; or
	(3)  as otherwise directed by the referring court.
	(c)  Before the start of a hearing by an associate judge, a
	party may waive the right to a de novo hearing before the referring
	court in writing or on the record.
	Sec. 54A.214 [54.616].  ORDER OF COURT. (a) Pending a de
	novo hearing before the referring court, the decisions and
	recommendations of the associate judge or a proposed order or
	judgment of the associate judge has the full force and effect, and
	is enforceable as, an order or judgment of the referring court,
	except for an order providing for the appointment of a receiver.
	(b)  Except as provided by Section 54A.209(c) [54.610(c)],
	if a request for a de novo hearing before the referring court is not
	timely filed or the right to a de novo hearing before the referring
	court is waived, the decisions and recommendations of the associate
	judge or the proposed order or judgment of the associate judge
	becomes the order or judgment of the referring court at the time the
	judge of the referring court signs the proposed order or judgment.
	(c)  An order by an associate judge for the temporary
	detention or incarceration of a witness or party shall be presented
	to the referring court on the day the witness or party is detained
	or incarcerated. The referring court, without prejudice to the
	right to a de novo hearing provided by Section 54A.216, may approve
	the temporary detention or incarceration or may order the release
	of the party or witness, with or without bond, pending a de novo
	hearing. If the referring court is not immediately available, the
	associate judge may order the release of the party or witness, with
	or without bond, pending a de novo hearing or may continue the
	person's detention or incarceration for not more than 72 hours.
	Sec. 54A.215 [54.617].  JUDICIAL ACTION ON ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S
	PROPOSED ORDER OR JUDGMENT. (a) Unless a party files a written
	request for a de novo hearing before the referring court, the
	referring court may:
	(1)  adopt, modify, or reject the associate judge's
	proposed order or judgment;
	(2)  hear further evidence; or
	(3)  recommit the matter to the associate judge for
	further proceedings.
	(b)  The judge of the referring court shall sign a proposed
	order or judgment the court adopts as provided by Subsection (a)(1)
	not later than the 30th day after the date the associate judge
	signed the order or judgment.
	Sec. 54A.216 [54.618].  DE NOVO HEARING BEFORE REFERRING
	COURT. (a) A party may request a de novo hearing before the
	referring court by filing with the clerk of the referring court a
	written request not later than the seventh working day after the
	date the party receives notice of the substance of the associate
	judge's report as provided by Section 54A.212 [54.614].
	(b)  A request for a de novo hearing under this section must
	specify the issues that will be presented to the referring court.
	The de novo hearing is limited to the specified issues.
	(c)  In the de novo hearing before the referring court,
	the  parties may present witnesses on the issues specified in the
	request for hearing.  The referring court may also consider the
	record from the hearing before the associate judge, including the
	charge to and verdict returned by a jury, if the record was taken by
	a court reporter.
	(d)  Notice of a request for a de novo hearing before the
	referring court must be given to the opposing attorney in the manner
	provided by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
	(e)  If a request for a de novo hearing before the referring
	court is filed by a party, any other party may file a request for a
	de novo hearing before the referring court not later than the
	seventh working day after the date of filing of the initial request.
	(f)  The referring court, after notice to the parties, shall
	hold a de novo hearing not later than the 30th day after the date on
	which the initial request for a de novo hearing was filed with the
	clerk of the referring court[, unless all of the parties agree to a
	later date].
	(g)  Before the start of a hearing conducted by an associate
	judge, the parties may waive the right of a de novo hearing before
	the referring court.  The waiver may be in writing or on the record.
	(h)  The denial of relief to a party after a de novo hearing
	under this section or a party's waiver of the right to a de novo
	hearing before the referring court does not affect the right of a
	party to file a motion for new trial, motion for judgment
	notwithstanding the verdict, or other post-trial motion.
	(i)  A party may not demand a second jury in a de novo hearing
	before the referring court if the associate judge's proposed order
	or judgment resulted from a jury trial.
	Sec. 54A.217 [54.619].  APPELLATE REVIEW. (a)  A party's
	failure to request a de novo hearing before the referring court or a
	party's waiver of the right to request a de novo hearing before the
	referring court does not deprive the party of the right to appeal to
	or request other relief from a court of appeals or the supreme
	court.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the date the judge
	of a referring court signs an order or judgment is the controlling
	date for the purposes of appeal to or request for other relief from
	a court of appeals or the supreme court.
	(c)  The date an order described by Section 54A.209(a)(16)
	[54.610(a)(15)] is signed by an associate judge is the controlling
	date for the purpose of an appeal to, or a request for other relief
	relating to the order from, a court of appeals or the supreme court.
	Sec. 54A.218 [54.620].  IMMUNITY. An associate judge
	appointed under this subchapter has the judicial immunity of a
	probate judge. All existing immunity granted an associate judge by
	law, express or implied, continues in full force and effect.
	SECTION 6.03.  Chapter 201, Family Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER D.  ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR JUVENILE MATTERS
	Sec. 201.301.  APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only
	to an associate judge appointed under this subchapter and does not
	apply to a juvenile court master appointed under Subchapter K,
	Chapter 54, Government Code.
	Sec. 201.302.  APPOINTMENT. (a)  A judge of a court that is
	designated as a juvenile court may appoint a full-time or part-time
	associate judge to perform the duties authorized by this chapter if
	the commissioners court of a county in which the court has
	jurisdiction has authorized creation of an associate judge
	position.
	(b)  If a court has jurisdiction in more than one county, an
	associate judge appointed by that court may serve only in a county
	in which the commissioners court has authorized the appointment.
	(c)  If more than one court in a county has been designated as
	a juvenile court, the commissioners court may authorize the
	appointment of an associate judge for each court or may authorize
	one or more associate judges to share service with two or more
	courts.
	(d)  If an associate judge serves more than one court, the
	associate judge's appointment must be made as established by local
	rule, but in no event by less than a vote of two-thirds of the judges
	under whom the associate judge serves.
	Sec. 201.303.  QUALIFICATIONS. To qualify for appointment
	as an associate judge under this subchapter, a person must:
	(1)  be a resident of this state and one of the counties
	the person will serve;
	(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
	for at least four years;
	(3)  not have been removed from office by impeachment,
	by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the legislature,
	by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition of the judge's
	court; and
	(4)  not have resigned from office after having
	received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on
	Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided in Section 33.022,
	Government Code, and before final disposition of the proceedings.
	Sec. 201.304.  COMPENSATION. (a)  An associate judge shall
	be paid a salary determined by the commissioners court of the county
	in which the associate judge serves.
	(b)  If an associate judge serves in more than one county,
	the associate judge shall be paid a salary as determined by
	agreement of the commissioners courts of the counties in which the
	associate judge serves.
	(c)  The associate judge's salary is paid from the county
	fund available for payment of officers' salaries.
	Sec. 201.305.  TERMINATION. (a)  An associate judge who
	serves a single court serves at the will of the judge of that court.
	(b)  The employment of an associate judge who serves more
	than two courts may only be terminated by a majority vote of all the
	judges of the courts which the associate judge serves.
	(c)  The employment of an associate judge who serves two
	courts may be terminated by either of the judges of the courts which
	the associate judge serves.
	(d)  To terminate an associate judge's employment, the
	appropriate judges must sign a written order of termination. The
	order must state:
	(1)  the associate judge's name and state bar
	identification number;
	(2)  each court ordering termination; and
	(3)  the date the associate judge's employment ends.
	Sec. 201.306.  CASES THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (a)  Except as
	provided by this section, a judge of a juvenile court may refer to
	an associate judge any aspect of a juvenile matter brought:
	(1)  under this title or Title 3; or
	(2)  in connection with Rule 308a, Texas Rules of Civil
	Procedure.
	(b)  Unless a party files a written objection to the
	associate judge hearing a trial on the merits, the judge may refer
	the trial to the associate judge. A trial on the merits is any final
	adjudication from which an appeal may be taken to a court of
	appeals.
	(c)  A party must file an objection to an associate judge
	hearing a trial on the merits or presiding at a jury trial not later
	than the 10th day after the date the party receives notice that the
	associate judge will hear the trial. If an objection is filed, the
	referring court shall hear the trial on the merits or preside at a
	jury trial.
	(d)  The requirements of Subsections (b) and (c) apply when a
	judge has authority to refer the trial of a suit under this title,
	Title 1, or Title 4 to an associate judge, master, or other
	assistant judge regardless of whether the assistant judge is
	appointed under this subchapter.
	Sec. 201.307.  METHODS OF REFERRAL. (a)  A case may be
	referred to an associate judge by an order of referral in a specific
	case or by an omnibus order.
	(b)  The order of referral may limit the power or duties of an
	associate judge.
	Sec. 201.308.  POWERS OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE. (a)  Except as
	limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may:
	(1)  conduct a hearing;
	(2)  hear evidence;
	(3)  compel production of relevant evidence;
	(4)  rule on the admissibility of evidence;
	(5)  issue a summons for:
	(A)  the appearance of witnesses; and
	(B)  the appearance of a parent who has failed to
	appear before an agency authorized to conduct an investigation of
	an allegation of abuse or neglect of a child after receiving proper
	notice;
	(6)  examine a witness;
	(7)  swear a witness for a hearing;
	(8)  make findings of fact on evidence;
	(9)  formulate conclusions of law;
	(10)  recommend an order to be rendered in a case;
	(11)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
	(12)  order the attachment of a witness or party who
	fails to obey a subpoena;
	(13)  order the detention of a witness or party found
	guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court; and
	(14)  take action as necessary and proper for the
	efficient performance of the associate judge's duties.
	(b)  An associate judge may, in the interest of justice,
	refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a
	timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the
	merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party.
	Sec. 201.309.  REFEREES. (a)  An associate judge appointed
	under this subchapter may serve as a referee as provided by Sections
	51.04(g) and 54.10.
	(b)  A referee appointed under Section 51.04(g) may be
	appointed to serve as an associate judge under this subchapter.
	Sec. 201.310.  ATTENDANCE OF BAILIFF. A bailiff may attend a
	hearing by an associate judge if directed by the referring court.
	Sec. 201.311.  WITNESS. (a)  A witness appearing before an
	associate judge is subject to the penalties for perjury provided by
	law.
	(b)  A referring court may fine or imprison a witness who:
	(1)  failed to appear before an associate judge after
	being summoned; or
	(2)  improperly refused to answer questions if the
	refusal has been certified to the court by the associate judge.
	Sec. 201.312.  COURT REPORTER; RECORD. (a)  A court
	reporter may be provided during a hearing held by an associate judge
	appointed under this subchapter. A court reporter is required to be
	provided when the associate judge presides over a jury trial or a
	contested final termination hearing.
	(b)  A party, the associate judge, or the referring court may
	provide for a reporter during the hearing if one is not otherwise
	provided.
	(c)  Except as provided by Subsection (a), in the absence of
	a court reporter or on agreement of the parties, the record may be
	preserved by any means approved by the associate judge.
	(d)  The referring court or associate judge may assess the
	expense of preserving the record as costs.
	(e)  On a request for a de novo hearing, the referring court
	may consider testimony or other evidence in the record, if the
	record is taken by a court reporter, in addition to witnesses or
	other matters presented under Section 201.317.
	Sec. 201.313.  REPORT. (a)  The associate judge's report may
	contain the associate judge's findings, conclusions, or
	recommendations and may be in the form of a proposed order. The
	associate judge's report must be in writing and in the form directed
	by the referring court.
	(b)  After a hearing, the associate judge shall provide the
	parties participating in the hearing notice of the substance of the
	associate judge's report, including any proposed order.
	(c)  Notice may be given to the parties:
	(1)  in open court, by an oral statement or by providing
	a copy of the associate judge's written report, including any
	proposed order;
	(2)  by certified mail, return receipt requested; or
	(3)  by facsimile.
	(d)  A rebuttable presumption exists that notice is received
	on the date stated on:
	(1)  the signed return receipt, if notice was provided
	by certified mail; or
	(2)  the confirmation page produced by the facsimile
	machine, if notice was provided by facsimile.
	(e)  After a hearing conducted by an associate judge, the
	associate judge shall send the associate judge's signed and dated
	report, including any proposed order, and all other papers relating
	to the case to the referring court.
	Sec. 201.314.  NOTICE OF RIGHT TO DE NOVO HEARING; WAIVER.
	(a)  An associate judge shall give all parties notice of the right
	to a de novo hearing to the judge of the referring court.
	(b)  The notice may be given:
	(1)  by oral statement in open court;
	(2)  by posting inside or outside the courtroom of the
	referring court; or
	(3)  as otherwise directed by the referring court.
	(c)  Before the start of a hearing by an associate judge, a
	party may waive the right of a de novo hearing before the referring
	court in writing or on the record.
	Sec. 201.315.  ORDER OF COURT. (a)  Pending a de novo
	hearing before the referring court, a proposed order or judgment of
	the associate judge is in full force and effect and is enforceable
	as an order or judgment of the referring court, except for an order
	providing for the appointment of a receiver.
	(b)  If a request for a de novo hearing before the referring
	court is not timely filed or the right to a de novo hearing before
	the referring court is waived, the proposed order or judgment of the
	associate judge becomes the order or judgment of the referring
	court only on the referring court's signing the proposed order or
	judgment.
	(c)  An order by an associate judge for the temporary
	detention or incarceration of a witness or party shall be presented
	to the referring court on the day the witness or party is detained
	or incarcerated. The referring court, without prejudice to the
	right to a de novo hearing provided by Section 201.317, may approve
	the temporary detention or incarceration or may order the release
	of the party or witness, with or without bond, pending a de novo
	hearing. If the referring court is not immediately available, the
	associate judge may order the release of the party or witness, with
	or without bond, pending a de novo hearing or may continue the
	person's detention or incarceration for not more than 72 hours.
	Sec. 201.316.  JUDICIAL ACTION ON ASSOCIATE JUDGE'S PROPOSED
	ORDER OR JUDGMENT. Unless a party files a written request for a de
	novo hearing before the referring court, the referring court may:
	(1)  adopt, modify, or reject the associate judge's
	proposed order or judgment;
	(2)  hear additional evidence; or
	(3)  recommit the matter to the associate judge for
	further proceedings.
	Sec. 201.317.  DE NOVO HEARING. (a)  A party may request a de
	novo hearing before the referring court by filing with the clerk of
	the referring court a written request not later than the seventh
	working day after the date the party receives notice of the
	substance of the associate judge's report as provided by Section
	201.313.
	(b)  A request for a de novo hearing under this section must
	specify the issues that will be presented to the referring court.
	The de novo hearing is limited to the specified issues.
	(c)  Notice of a request for a de novo hearing before the
	referring court shall be given to the opposing attorney in the
	manner provided by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
	(d)  If a request for a de novo hearing before the referring
	court is filed by a party, any other party may file a request for a
	de novo hearing before the referring court not later than the
	seventh working day after the date the initial request was filed.
	(e)  The referring court, after notice to the parties, shall
	hold a de novo hearing not later than the 30th day after the date the
	initial request for a de novo hearing was filed with the clerk of
	the referring court.
	(f)  In the de novo hearing before the referring court, the
	parties may present witnesses on the issues specified in the
	request for hearing. The referring court may also consider the
	record from the hearing before the associate judge, including the
	charge to and verdict returned by a jury, if the record was taken by
	a court reporter.
	(g)  The denial of relief to a party after a de novo hearing
	under this section or a party's waiver of the right to a de novo
	hearing before the referring court does not affect the right of a
	party to file a motion for new trial, a motion for judgment
	notwithstanding the verdict, or other posttrial motions.
	(h)  A party may not demand a second jury in a de novo hearing
	before the referring court if the associate judge's proposed order
	or judgment resulted from a jury trial.
	Sec. 201.318.  APPELLATE REVIEW. (a)  A party's failure to
	request a de novo hearing before the referring court or a party's
	waiver of the right to request a de novo hearing before the
	referring court does not deprive the party of the right to appeal to
	or request other relief from a court of appeals or the supreme
	court.
	(b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), the date an order
	or judgment by the referring court is signed is the controlling date
	for the purposes of appeal to or request for other relief from a
	court of appeals or the supreme court.
	(c)  The date an agreed order or a default order is signed by
	an associate judge is the controlling date for the purpose of an
	appeal to, or a request for other relief relating to the order from,
	a court of appeals or the supreme court.
	Sec. 201.319.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. An associate judge
	appointed under this subchapter has the judicial immunity of a
	district judge.
	Sec. 201.320.  VISITING ASSOCIATE JUDGE. (a)  If an
	associate judge appointed under this subchapter is temporarily
	unable to perform the judge's official duties because of absence or
	illness, injury, or other disability, a judge of a court having
	jurisdiction of a suit under this title or Title 1 or 4 may appoint a
	visiting associate judge to perform the duties of the associate
	judge during the period of the associate judge's absence or
	disability if the commissioners court of a county in which the court
	has jurisdiction authorizes the employment of a visiting associate
	judge.
	(b)  To be eligible for appointment under this section, a
	person must have served as an associate judge for at least two
	years.
	(c)  Sections 201.001 through 201.017 apply to a visiting
	associate judge appointed under this section.
	SECTION 6.04.  Subsection (b), Section 22.110, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The court of criminal appeals shall adopt the rules
	necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section.  The rules
	must require each district judge, judge of a statutory county
	court, associate judge appointed under Chapter 54A [54] of this
	code or Chapter 201, Family Code, master, referee, and magistrate
	to complete at least 12 hours of the training within the judge's
	first term of office or the judicial officer's first four years of
	service and provide a method for certification of completion of
	that training.  At least four hours of the training must be
	dedicated to issues related to child abuse and neglect and must
	cover at least two of the topics described in Subsections
	(d)(8)-(12).  At least six hours of the training must be dedicated
	to the training described by Subsections (d)(5), (6), and (7).  The
	rules must require each judge and judicial officer to complete an
	additional five hours of training during each additional term in
	office or four years of service.  At least two hours of the
	additional training must be dedicated to issues related to child
	abuse and neglect.  The rules must exempt from the training
	requirement of this subsection each judge or judicial officer who
	files an affidavit stating that the judge or judicial officer does
	not hear any cases involving family violence, sexual assault, or
	child abuse and neglect.
	SECTION 6.05.  Section 602.002, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 602.002.  OATH MADE IN TEXAS. An oath made in this
	state may be administered and a certificate of the fact given by:
	(1)  a judge, retired judge, or clerk of a municipal
	court;
	(2)  a judge, retired judge, senior judge, clerk, or
	commissioner of a court of record;
	(3)  a justice of the peace or a clerk of a justice
	court;
	(4)  an associate judge, magistrate, master, referee,
	or criminal law hearing officer;
	(5)  a notary public;
	(6) [(5)]  a member of a board or commission created by
	a law of this state, in a matter pertaining to a duty of the board or
	commission;
	(7) [(6)]  a person employed by the Texas Ethics
	Commission who has a duty related to a report required by Title 15,
	Election Code, in a matter pertaining to that duty;
	(8) [(7)]  a county tax assessor-collector or an
	employee of the county tax assessor-collector if the oath relates
	to a document that is required or authorized to be filed in the
	office of the county tax assessor-collector;
	(9) [(8)]  the secretary of state or a former secretary
	of state;
	(10) [(9)]  an employee of a personal bond office, or
	an employee of a county, who is employed to obtain information
	required to be obtained under oath if the oath is required or
	authorized by Article 17.04 or by Article 26.04(n) or (o), Code of
	Criminal Procedure;
	(11) [(10)]  the lieutenant governor or a former
	lieutenant governor;
	(12) [(11)]  the speaker of the house of
	representatives or a former speaker of the house of
	representatives;
	(13) [(12)]  the governor or a former governor;
	(14) [(13)]  a legislator or retired legislator;
	(15) [(14)]  the attorney general or a former attorney
	general;
	(16) [(15)]  the secretary or clerk of a municipality
	in a matter pertaining to the official business of the
	municipality; or
	(17) [(16)]  a peace officer described by Article 2.12,
	Code of Criminal Procedure, if:
	(A)  the oath is administered when the officer is
	engaged in the performance of the officer's duties; and
	(B)  the administration of the oath relates to the
	officer's duties.
	SECTION 6.06.  Article 2.09, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
	amended to read as follows:
	Art. 2.09.  WHO ARE MAGISTRATES. Each of the following
	officers is a magistrate within the meaning of this Code:  The
	justices of the Supreme Court, the judges of the Court of Criminal
	Appeals, the justices of the Courts of Appeals, the judges of the
	District Court, the magistrates appointed by the judges of the
	district courts of Bexar County, Dallas County, or Tarrant County
	that give preference to criminal cases, the criminal law hearing
	officers for Harris County appointed under Subchapter L, Chapter
	54, Government Code, the criminal law hearing officers for Cameron
	County appointed under Subchapter BB, Chapter 54, Government Code,
	the magistrates or associate judges appointed by the judges of the
	district courts of Lubbock County, Nolan County, or Webb County,
	the magistrates appointed by the judges of the criminal district
	courts of Dallas County or Tarrant County, the associate judges
	[masters] appointed by the judges of the district courts and the
	county courts at law that give preference to criminal cases in
	Jefferson County, the associate judges [magistrates] appointed by
	the judges of the district courts and the statutory county courts of
	Brazos County, Nueces County, or Williamson County, the magistrates
	appointed by the judges of the district courts and statutory county
	courts that give preference to criminal cases in Travis County, the
	criminal magistrates appointed by the Brazoria County
	Commissioners Court, the criminal magistrates appointed by the
	Burnet County Commissioners Court, the county judges, the judges of
	the county courts at law, judges of the county criminal courts, the
	judges of statutory probate courts, the associate judges appointed
	by the judges of the statutory probate courts under [Subchapter G,]
	Chapter 54A [54], Government Code, the associate judges appointed
	by the judge of a district court under Chapter 54A [Subchapter II,
	Chapter 54], Government Code, the magistrates appointed under
	Subchapter JJ, Chapter 54, Government Code, as added by H.B. No.
	2132, Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, the
	justices of the peace, and the mayors and recorders and the judges
	of the municipal courts of incorporated cities or towns.
	SECTION 6.07.  Subsection (d), Article 102.017, Code of
	Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
	(d)  Except as provided by Subsection (d-2), the clerks of
	the respective courts shall collect the costs and pay them to the
	county or municipal treasurer, as appropriate, or to any other
	official who discharges the duties commonly delegated to the county
	or municipal treasurer, as appropriate, for deposit in a fund to be
	known as the courthouse security fund or a fund to be known as the
	municipal court building security fund, as appropriate.  Money
	deposited in a courthouse security fund may be used only for
	security personnel, services, and items related to buildings that
	house the operations of district, county, or justice courts, and
	money deposited in a municipal court building security fund may be
	used only for security personnel, services, and items related to
	buildings that house the operations of municipal courts.  For
	purposes of this subsection, operations of a district, county, or
	justice court include the activities of associate judges, masters,
	magistrates, referees, hearing officers, criminal law magistrate
	court judges, and masters in chancery appointed under:
	(1)  Section 61.311, Alcoholic Beverage Code;
	(2)  Section 51.04(g) or Chapter 201, Family Code;
	(3)  Section 574.0085, Health and Safety Code;
	(4)  Section 33.71, Tax Code;
	(5)  Chapter 54A [Chapter 54], Government Code; or
	(6)  Rule 171, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
	SECTION 6.08.  Subsection (a), Section 54.10, Family Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), a hearing under
	Section 54.03, 54.04, or 54.05, including a jury trial, a hearing
	under Chapter 55, including a jury trial, or a hearing under the
	Interstate Compact for Juveniles (Chapter 60) may be held by a
	referee appointed in accordance with Section 51.04(g) or an
	associate judge [a master] appointed under Chapter 54A [54],
	Government Code, provided:
	(1)  the parties have been informed by the referee or
	associate judge [master] that they are entitled to have the hearing
	before the juvenile court judge; and
	(2)  after each party is given an opportunity to
	object, no party objects to holding the hearing before the referee
	or associate judge [master].
	SECTION 6.09.  A magistrate, master, referee, associate
	judge, or hearing officer appointed as provided by Subchapters A,
	B, C, E, F, I, O, P, S, T, U, V, X, CC, FF, and II, Chapter 54,
	Government Code, before the effective date of this Act, continues
	to serve as an associate judge under Chapter 54A, Government Code,
	as added by this article, with the powers and duties provided by
	that chapter, provided the court for which the magistrate, master,
	referee, associate judge, or hearing officer serves has authority
	to appoint an associate judge under Chapter 54A, Government Code.
	SECTION 6.10.  The changes in law made by this article apply
	to a matter referred to an associate judge on or after the effective
	date of this article. A matter referred to an associate judge
	before the effective date of this article is governed by the law in
	effect on the date the matter was referred to the associate judge,
	and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 6.11.  The following subchapters of Chapter 54,
	Government Code, are repealed:
	(1)  Subchapter A;
	(2)  Subchapter B;
	(3)  Subchapter C;
	(4)  Subchapter E;
	(5)  Subchapter F;
	(6)  Subchapter I;
	(7)  Subchapter O;
	(8)  Subchapter P;
	(9)  Subchapter S;
	(10)  Subchapter T;
	(11)  Subchapter U;
	(12)  Subchapter V;
	(13)  Subchapter X;
	(14)  Subchapter CC;
	(15)  Subchapter FF; and
	(16)  Subchapter II.
	ARTICLE 7.  COURT ADMINISTRATION
	SECTION 7.01.  Section 74.005, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 74.005.  APPOINTMENT OF [REGIONAL] PRESIDING JUDGES OF
	ADMINISTRATIVE JUDICIAL REGIONS.  (a)  The governor, with the
	advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint one judge in each
	administrative judicial region as presiding judge of the region.
	(b)  On the death, resignation, removal, or expiration of the
	term of office of a presiding judge, the governor immediately shall
	appoint or reappoint a presiding judge.
	SECTION 7.02.  Section 74.050, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 74.050.  SUPPORT STAFF [ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT].  (a)
	The presiding judge may employ, directly or through a contract with
	another governmental entity, a full-time or part-time
	administrative assistant.
	(b)  An administrative assistant [must have the
	qualifications established by rule of the supreme court.
	[(c)  An administrative assistant] shall aid the presiding
	judge in carrying out the judge's duties under this chapter. The
	administrative assistant shall:
	(1)  perform the duties that are required by the
	presiding judge and by the rules of administration;
	(2)  conduct correspondence for the presiding judge;
	(3)  under the direction of the presiding judge, make
	an annual report of the activities of the administrative region and
	special reports as provided by the rules of administration to the
	supreme court, which shall be made in the manner directed by the
	supreme court; and
	(4)  attend to other matters that are prescribed by the
	council of judges.
	(c) [(d)]  An administrative assistant, with the approval of
	the presiding judge, may purchase the necessary office equipment,
	stamps, stationery, and supplies and employ additional personnel as
	authorized by the presiding judge.
	(d) [(e)]  An administrative assistant is entitled to
	receive the compensation from the state provided by the General
	Appropriations Act, from county funds, or from any public or
	private grant.
	SECTION 7.03.  Subsection (c), Section 74.093, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  The rules may provide for:
	(1)  the selection and authority of a presiding judge
	of the courts giving preference to a specified class of cases, such
	as civil, criminal, juvenile, or family law cases;
	(2)  other strategies for managing cases that require
	special judicial attention;
	(3) [(2)]  a coordinated response for the transaction
	of essential judicial functions in the event of a disaster; and
	(4) [(3)]  any other matter necessary to carry out this
	chapter or to improve the administration and management of the
	court system and its auxiliary services.
	SECTION 7.04.  Chapter 74, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER J.  ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR CERTAIN CASES
	Sec. 74.251.  APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER.  This subchapter
	does not apply to:
	(1)  a criminal matter;
	(2)  a case in which judicial review is sought under
	Subchapter G, Chapter 2001; or
	(3)  a case that has been transferred by the judicial
	panel on multidistrict litigation to a district court for
	consolidated or coordinated pretrial proceedings under Subchapter
	H.
	Sec. 74.252.  RULES TO GUIDE DETERMINATION OF WHETHER CASE
	REQUIRES ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. (a)  The supreme court shall adopt
	rules under which courts, presiding judges of the administrative
	judicial regions, and the judicial committee for additional
	resources may determine whether a case requires additional
	resources to ensure efficient judicial management of the case.
	(b)  In developing the rules, the supreme court shall include
	considerations regarding whether a case involves or is likely to
	involve:
	(1)  a large number of parties who are separately
	represented by counsel;
	(2)  coordination with related actions pending in one
	or more courts in other counties of this state or in one or more
	United States district courts;
	(3)  numerous pretrial motions that present difficult
	or novel legal issues that will be time-consuming to resolve;
	(4)  a large number of witnesses or substantial
	documentary evidence;
	(5)  substantial postjudgment supervision;
	(6)  a trial that will last more than four weeks; and
	(7)  a substantial additional burden on the trial
	court's docket and the resources available to the trial court to
	hear the case.
	Sec. 74.253.  JUDICIAL DETERMINATION. (a)  On the motion of
	a party in a case, or on the court's own motion, the judge of the
	court in which the case is pending shall review the case and
	determine whether, under rules adopted by the supreme court under
	Section 74.252, the case will require additional resources to
	ensure efficient judicial management.  The judge is not required to
	conduct an evidentiary hearing for purposes of making the
	determination but may, in the judge's discretion, direct the
	attorneys for the parties to the case and the parties to appear
	before the judge for a conference to provide information to assist
	the judge in making the determination.
	(b)  On determining that a case will require additional
	resources as provided by Subsection (a), the judge shall:
	(1)  notify the presiding judge of the administrative
	judicial region in which the court is located about the case; and
	(2)  request any specific additional resources that are
	needed, including the assignment of a judge under this chapter.
	(c)  If the presiding judge of the administrative judicial
	region agrees that, in accordance with the rules adopted by the
	supreme court under Section 74.252, the case will require
	additional resources to ensure efficient judicial management, the
	presiding judge shall:
	(1)  use resources previously allotted to the presiding
	judge; or
	(2)  submit a request for specific additional resources
	to the judicial committee for additional resources.
	Sec. 74.254.  JUDICIAL COMMITTEE FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
	(a)  The judicial committee for additional resources is composed
	of:
	(1)  the chief justice of the supreme court; and
	(2)  the nine presiding judges of the administrative
	judicial regions.
	(b)  The chief justice of the supreme court serves as
	presiding officer.  The office of court administration shall
	provide staff support to the committee.
	(c)  On receipt of a request for additional resources from a
	presiding judge of an administrative judicial region under Section
	74.253, the committee shall determine whether the case that is the
	subject of the request requires additional resources in accordance
	with the rules adopted under Section 74.252. If the committee
	determines that the case does require additional resources, the
	committee shall make available the resources requested by the trial
	judge to the extent funds are available for those resources under
	the General Appropriations Act and to the extent the committee
	determines the requested resources are appropriate to the
	circumstances of the case.
	(d)  Subject to Subsections (c) and (f), additional
	resources the committee may make available under this section
	include:
	(1)  the assignment of an active or retired judge under
	this chapter, subject to the consent of the judge of the court in
	which the case for which the resources are provided is pending;
	(2)  additional legal, administrative, or clerical
	personnel;
	(3)  information and communication technology,
	including case management software, video teleconferencing, and
	specially designed courtroom presentation hardware or software to
	facilitate presentation of the evidence to the trier of fact;
	(4)  specialized continuing legal education;
	(5)  an associate judge;
	(6)  special accommodations or furnishings for the
	parties;
	(7)  other services or items determined necessary to
	try the case; and
	(8)  any other resources the committee considers
	appropriate.
	(e)  Notwithstanding any provision of Subchapter C, a
	justice or judge to whom Section 74.053(d) applies may not be
	assigned under Subsection (d).
	(f)  The judicial committee for additional resources may not
	provide additional resources under this subchapter in an amount
	that is more than the amount appropriated for this purpose.
	Sec. 74.255.  COST OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. The cost of
	additional resources provided for a case under this subchapter
	shall be paid by the state and may not be taxed against any party in
	the case for which the resources are provided or against the county
	in which the case is pending.
	Sec. 74.256.  NO STAY OR CONTINUANCE PENDING DETERMINATION.
	The filing of a motion under Section 74.253 in a case is not grounds
	for a stay or continuance of the proceedings in the case in the
	court in which the case is pending during the period the motion or
	request is being considered by:
	(1)  the judge of that court;
	(2)  the presiding judge of the administrative judicial
	region; or
	(3)  the judicial committee for additional resources.
	Sec. 74.257.  APPELLATE REVIEW. A determination made by a
	trial court judge, the presiding judge of an administrative
	judicial region, or the judicial committee for additional resources
	under this subchapter is not appealable or subject to review by
	mandamus.
	SECTION 7.05.  (a)  The Texas Supreme Court shall request
	the president of the State Bar of Texas to appoint a task force to
	consider and make recommendations regarding the rules for
	determining whether civil cases pending in trial courts require
	additional resources for efficient judicial management required by
	Section 74.252, Government Code, as added by this article. The
	president of the State Bar of Texas shall ensure that the task force
	has diverse representation and includes judges of trial courts and
	attorneys licensed to practice law in this state who regularly
	appear in civil cases before courts in this state. The task force
	shall provide recommendations on the rules to the Texas Supreme
	Court not later than March 1, 2012.
	(b)  The Texas Supreme Court shall:
	(1)  consider the recommendations of the task force
	provided as required by Subsection (a) of this section; and
	(2)  adopt the rules required by Section 74.252,
	Government Code, as added by this article, not later than May 1,
	2012.
	SECTION 7.06.  The changes in law made by this article apply
	to cases pending on or after May 1, 2012.
	ARTICLE 8. GRANT PROGRAMS
	SECTION 8.01.  Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 72.029 to read as follows:
	Sec. 72.029.  GRANTS FOR COURT SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS. (a)  The
	office shall develop and administer, except as provided by
	Subsection (c), a program to provide grants from available funds to
	counties for initiatives that will enhance their court systems or
	otherwise carry out the purposes of this chapter.
	(b)  To be eligible for a grant under this section, a county
	must:
	(1)  use the grant money to implement initiatives that
	will enhance the county's court system, including initiatives to
	develop programs to more efficiently manage cases that require
	special judicial attention, or otherwise carry out the purposes of
	this chapter; and
	(2)  apply for the grant in accordance with procedures
	developed by the office and comply with any other requirements of
	the office.
	(c)  The judicial committee for additional resources shall
	determine whether to award a grant to a county that meets the
	eligibility requirements prescribed by Subsection (b).
	(d)  If the judicial committee for additional resources
	awards a grant to a county, the office shall:
	(1)  direct the comptroller to distribute the grant
	money to the county; and
	(2)  monitor the county's use of the grant money.
	(e)  The office may accept gifts, grants, and donations for
	purposes of this section. The office may not use state funds to
	provide a grant under this section or to administer the grant
	program.
	SECTION 8.02.  Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 22.017 to read as follows:
	Sec. 22.017.  GRANTS FOR CHILD PROTECTION. (a)  In this
	section, "commission" means the Permanent Judicial Commission for
	Children, Youth and Families established by the supreme court.
	(b)  The commission shall develop and administer a program to
	provide grants from available funds for initiatives that will
	improve safety and permanency outcomes, enhance due process, or
	increase the timeliness of resolution in child protection cases.
	(c)  To be eligible for a grant under this section, a
	prospective recipient must:
	(1)  use the grant money to improve safety or
	permanency outcomes, enhance due process, or increase timeliness of
	resolution in child protection cases; and
	(2)  apply for the grant in accordance with procedures
	developed by the commission and comply with any other requirements
	of the supreme court.
	(d)  If the commission awards a grant, the commission shall:
	(1)  direct the comptroller to distribute the grant
	money; and
	(2)  monitor the use of the grant money.
	(e)  The commission may accept gifts, grants, and donations
	for purposes of this section. The commission may not use state
	funds to provide a grant under this section or to administer the
	grant program.
	ARTICLE 9.  VEXATIOUS LITIGANTS
	SECTION 9.01.  Subdivision (3), Section 11.001, Civil
	Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(3)  "Local administrative judge" means a local
	administrative district judge, a local administrative statutory
	probate court judge, or a local administrative statutory county
	court judge.
	SECTION 9.02.  Section 11.101, Civil Practice and Remedies
	Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c)  A litigant may appeal from a prefiling order entered
	under Subsection (a) designating the person a vexatious litigant.
	SECTION 9.03.  Section 11.102, Civil Practice and Remedies
	Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
	(c)  A decision of a local administrative judge denying a
	litigant permission to file a litigation under Subsection (a), or
	conditioning permission to file a litigation on the furnishing of
	security under Subsection (b), is not grounds for appeal, except
	that the litigant may apply for a writ of mandamus with the court of
	appeals not later than the 30th day after the date of the decision.
	The denial of a writ of mandamus by the court of appeals is not
	grounds for appeal to the supreme court or court of criminal
	appeals.
	SECTION 9.04.  Section 11.103, Civil Practice and Remedies
	Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection
	(d) to read as follows:
	(a)  Except as provided by Subsection (d), a [A] clerk of a
	court may not file a litigation, original proceeding, appeal, or
	other claim presented by a vexatious litigant subject to a
	prefiling order under Section 11.101 unless the litigant obtains an
	order from the local administrative judge permitting the filing.
	(d)  A clerk of a court of appeals may file an appeal from a
	prefiling order entered under Section 11.101 designating a person a
	vexatious litigant or a timely filed writ of mandamus under Section
	11.102(c).
	SECTION 9.05.  Section 11.104, Civil Practice and Remedies
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 11.104.  NOTICE TO OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION;
	DISSEMINATION OF LIST.  (a)  A clerk of a court shall provide the
	Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System a copy
	of any prefiling order issued under Section 11.101 not later than
	the 30th day after the date the prefiling order is signed.
	(b)  The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial
	System shall post on the agency's Internet website [maintain] a
	list of vexatious litigants subject to prefiling orders under
	Section 11.101 [and shall annually send the list to the clerks of
	the courts of this state]. On request of a person designated a
	vexatious litigant, the list shall indicate whether the person
	designated a vexatious litigant has filed an appeal of that
	designation.
	SECTION 9.06.  The posting, before the effective date of
	this article, of the name of a person designated a vexatious
	litigant under Chapter 11, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, on a
	list of vexatious litigants on the Internet website of the Office of
	Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System is not:
	(1)  grounds for a cause of action;
	(2)  a defense against a finding that a plaintiff is a
	vexatious litigant under Chapter 11, Civil Practice and Remedies
	Code; or
	(3)  grounds for relief or appeal from a stay, order, or
	dismissal or any other action taken by a court or a clerk of a court
	under Chapter 11, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
	ARTICLE 10.  STUDY BY OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION OF TEXAS
	JUDICIAL SYSTEM
	SECTION 10.01.  In this article, "office of court
	administration" means the Office of Court Administration of the
	Texas Judicial System.
	SECTION 10.02.  (a)  The office of court administration
	shall study the district courts and statutory county courts of this
	state to determine overlapping jurisdiction in civil cases in which
	the amount in controversy is more than $200,000.  The study must
	determine the feasibility, efficiency, and potential cost of
	converting to district courts those statutory county courts with
	jurisdiction in civil cases in which the amount in controversy is
	more than $200,000.
	(b)  Not later than January 1, 2013, the office of court
	administration shall submit a report regarding the determinations
	made by the office relating to statutory county courts to the
	governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
	representatives, the chairs of the standing committees of the
	senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over
	the judicial system, and the commissioners court of any county with
	a statutory county court with jurisdiction in civil cases in which
	the amount in controversy is more than $200,000.
	(c)  The office of court administration may accept gifts,
	grants, and donations to conduct the study under this section. The
	office of court administration may not use state funds to conduct
	the study and, notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, is
	required to conduct the study only to the extent gifts, grants, and
	donations are available for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 11.  SUITS AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP
	SECTION 11.01.  Section 263.601, Family Code, is amended by
	amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as
	follows:
	(1)  "Foster care" means a voluntary residential living
	arrangement with a foster parent or other residential child-care
	provider that is:
	(A)  licensed or approved by the department or
	verified by a licensed child-placing agency; and
	(B)  paid under a contract with the department.
	(3-a)  "Trial independence period" means a period of
	not less than six months, or a longer period as a court may order not
	to exceed 12 months, during which a young adult exits foster care
	with the option to return to foster care under the continuing
	extended jurisdiction of the court.
	SECTION 11.02.  Section 263.602, Family Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	Sec. 263.602.  EXTENDED JURISDICTION. (a) A court that had
	continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a young adult on the day
	before [may, at] the young adult's 18th birthday continues to have
	extended [request, render an order that extends the court's]
	jurisdiction over the young adult and shall retain the case on the
	court's docket while the young adult remains in extended foster
	care and during a trial independence period described [as provided]
	by this section [subchapter].
	(b)  A court with extended jurisdiction over a young adult
	who remains in extended foster care shall conduct extended foster
	care review hearings every six months for the purpose of reviewing
	and making findings regarding:
	(1)  whether the young adult's living arrangement is
	safe and appropriate and whether the department has made reasonable
	efforts to place the young adult in the least restrictive
	environment necessary to meet the young adult's needs;
	(2)  whether the department is making reasonable
	efforts to finalize the permanency plan that is in effect for the
	young adult, including a permanency plan for independent living;
	(3)  whether, for a young adult whose permanency plan
	is independent living:
	(A)  the young adult participated in the
	development of the plan of service;
	(B)  the young adult's plan of service reflects
	the independent living skills and appropriate services needed to
	achieve independence by the projected date; and
	(C)  the young adult continues to make reasonable
	progress in developing the skills needed to achieve independence by
	the projected date; and
	(4)  whether additional services that the department is
	authorized to provide are needed to meet the needs of the young
	adult [The extended jurisdiction of the court terminates on the
	earlier of:
	[(1)  the young adult's 21st birthday; or
	[(2)     the date the young adult withdraws consent to the
	extension of the court's jurisdiction in writing or in court].
	(c)  Not later than the 10th day before the date set for a
	hearing under this section, the department shall file with the
	court a copy of the young adult's plan of service and a report that
	addresses the issues described by Subsection (b).
	(d)  Notice of an extended foster care review hearing shall
	be given as provided by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, to
	the following persons, each of whom has a right to present evidence
	and be heard at the hearing:
	(1)  the young adult who is the subject of the suit;
	(2)  the department;
	(3)  the foster parent with whom the young adult is
	placed and the administrator of a child-placing agency responsible
	for placing the young adult, if applicable;
	(4)  the director of the residential child-care
	facility or other approved provider with whom the young adult is
	placed, if applicable;
	(5)  each parent of the young adult whose parental
	rights have not been terminated and who is still actively involved
	in the life of the young adult;
	(6)  a legal guardian of the young adult, if
	applicable; and
	(7)  the young adult's attorney ad litem, guardian ad
	litem, and volunteer advocate, the appointment of which has not
	been previously dismissed by the court.
	(e)  If, after reviewing the young adult's plan of service
	and the report filed under Subsection (c), and any additional
	testimony and evidence presented at the review hearing, the court
	determines that the young adult is entitled to additional services,
	the court may order the department to take appropriate action to
	ensure that the young adult receives those services.
	(f)  A court with extended jurisdiction over a young adult as
	described in Subsection (a) shall continue to have jurisdiction
	over the young adult and shall retain the case on the court's docket
	until the earlier of:
	(1)  the last day of the:
	(A)  sixth month after the date the young adult
	leaves foster care; or
	(B)  12th month after the date the young adult
	leaves foster care if specified in a court order, for the purpose of
	allowing the young adult to pursue a trial independence period; or
	(2)  the young adult's 21st birthday.
	(g)  A court with extended jurisdiction described by this
	section is not required to conduct periodic hearings for a young
	adult during a trial independence period and may not compel a young
	adult who has exited foster care to attend a court hearing.
	SECTION 11.03.  Subchapter G, Chapter 263, Family Code, is
	amended by adding Section 263.6021 to read as follows:
	Sec. 263.6021.  VOLUNTARY EXTENDED JURISDICTION FOR YOUNG
	ADULT RECEIVING TRANSITIONAL LIVING SERVICES.
	(a)  Notwithstanding Section 263.602, a court that had continuing,
	exclusive jurisdiction over a young adult on the day before the
	young adult's 18th birthday may, at the young adult's request,
	render an order that extends the court's jurisdiction beyond the
	end of a trial independence period if the young adult receives
	transitional living services from the department.
	(b)  The extended jurisdiction of the court under this
	section terminates on the earlier of:
	(1)  the young adult's 21st birthday; or
	(2)  the date the young adult withdraws consent to the
	extension of the court's jurisdiction in writing or in court.
	(c)  At the request of a young adult who is receiving
	transitional living services from the department and who consents
	to voluntary extension of the court's jurisdiction under this
	section, the court may hold a hearing to review the services the
	young adult is receiving.
	(d)  Before a review hearing scheduled under this section,
	the department must file with the court a report summarizing the
	young adult's transitional living services plan, services being
	provided to the young adult under that plan, and the young adult's
	progress in achieving independence.
	(e)  If, after reviewing the report and any additional
	testimony and evidence presented at the hearing, the court
	determines that the young adult is entitled to additional services,
	the court may order the department to take appropriate action to
	ensure that the young adult receives those services.
	SECTION 11.04.  Subsections (a) and (c), Section 263.603,
	Family Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Notwithstanding Section 263.6021 [263.602], if the
	court believes that a young adult may be incapacitated as defined by
	Section 601(14)(B), Texas Probate Code, the court may extend its
	jurisdiction on its own motion without the young adult's consent to
	allow the department to refer the young adult to the Department of
	Aging and Disability Services for guardianship services as required
	by Section 48.209, Human Resources Code.
	(c)  If the Department of Aging and Disability Services
	determines a guardianship is not appropriate, or the court with
	probate jurisdiction denies the application to appoint a guardian,
	the court under Subsection (a) may continue to extend its
	jurisdiction over the young adult only as provided by Section
	263.602 or 263.6021.
	SECTION 11.05.  Section 263.609, Family Code, is repealed.
	SECTION 11.06.  This article takes effect immediately if
	this Act receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to
	each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
	Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
	immediate effect, this article takes effect on the 91st day after
	the last day of the legislative session.
	ARTICLE 12.  INMATE LITIGATION
	SECTION 12.01.  Subsection (a), Section 14.002, Civil
	Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  This chapter applies only to an action, including an
	appeal or original proceeding, [a suit] brought by an inmate in a
	district, county, justice of the peace, or small claims court or an
	appellate court, including the supreme court or the court of
	criminal appeals, in which an affidavit or unsworn declaration of
	inability to pay costs is filed by the inmate.
	SECTION 12.02.  Subsections (a) and (b), Section 14.004,
	Civil Practice and Remedies Code, are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  An inmate who files an affidavit or unsworn declaration
	of inability to pay costs shall file a separate affidavit or
	declaration:
	(1)  identifying each action [suit], other than an
	action [a suit] under the Family Code, previously brought by the
	person and in which the person was not represented by an attorney,
	without regard to whether the person was an inmate at the time the
	action [suit] was brought; and
	(2)  describing each action [suit] that was previously
	brought by:
	(A)  stating the operative facts for which relief
	was sought;
	(B)  listing the case name, cause number, and the
	court in which the action [suit] was brought;
	(C)  identifying each party named in the action
	[suit]; and
	(D)  stating the result of the action [suit],
	including whether the action or a claim that was a basis for the
	action [suit] was dismissed as frivolous or malicious under Section
	13.001 or Section 14.003 or otherwise.
	(b)  If the affidavit or unsworn declaration filed under this
	section states that a previous action or claim [suit] was dismissed
	as frivolous or malicious, the affidavit or unsworn declaration
	must state the date of the final order affirming the dismissal.
	SECTION 12.03.  Subsection (a), Section 14.007, Civil
	Practice and Remedies Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  An order of a court under Section 14.006(a) shall
	include the costs described by Subsection (b) if the court finds
	that:
	(1)  the inmate has previously filed an action to which
	this chapter applies [in a district, county, justice of the peace,
	or small claims court]; and
	(2)  a final order has been issued that affirms that the
	action was dismissed as frivolous or malicious under Section 13.001
	or Section 14.003 or otherwise.
	SECTION 12.04.  The change in law made by this article
	applies only to an action brought on or after the effective date of
	this Act. An action brought before the effective date of this Act is
	governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date
	of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	ARTICLE 13.  PROVISIONS RELATED TO EXEMPTING CERTAIN JUDICIAL
	OFFICERS FROM CERTAIN CONCEALED HANDGUN LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
	SECTION 13.01.  Subdivision (1), Subsection (a), Section
	411.201, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(1)  "Active judicial officer" means:
	(A)  a person serving as a judge or justice of the
	supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, a
	district court, a criminal district court, a constitutional county
	court, a statutory county court, a justice court, or a municipal
	court; [or]
	(B)  a federal judge who is a resident of this
	state; or
	(C)  a person appointed and serving as an
	associate judge under Chapter 201, Family Code.
	SECTION 13.02.  Subsection (a), Section 46.15, Penal Code,
	is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Sections 46.02 and 46.03 do not apply to:
	(1)  peace officers or special investigators under
	Article 2.122, Code of Criminal Procedure, and neither section
	prohibits a peace officer or special investigator from carrying a
	weapon in this state, including in an establishment in this state
	serving the public, regardless of whether the peace officer or
	special investigator is engaged in the actual discharge of the
	officer's or investigator's duties while carrying the weapon;
	(2)  parole officers and neither section prohibits an
	officer from carrying a weapon in this state if the officer is:
	(A)  engaged in the actual discharge of the
	officer's duties while carrying the weapon; and
	(B)  in compliance with policies and procedures
	adopted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice regarding the
	possession of a weapon by an officer while on duty;
	(3)  community supervision and corrections department
	officers appointed or employed under Section 76.004, Government
	Code, and neither section prohibits an officer from carrying a
	weapon in this state if the officer is:
	(A)  engaged in the actual discharge of the
	officer's duties while carrying the weapon; and
	(B)  authorized to carry a weapon under Section
	76.0051, Government Code;
	(4)  an active judicial officer as defined by Section
	411.201, Government Code, [a judge or justice of a federal court,
	the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of
	appeals, a district court, a criminal district court, a
	constitutional county court, a statutory county court, a justice
	court, or a municipal court] who is licensed to carry a concealed
	handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code;
	(5)  an honorably retired peace officer or federal
	criminal investigator who holds a certificate of proficiency issued
	under Section 1701.357, Occupations Code, and is carrying a photo
	identification that:
	(A)  verifies that the officer honorably retired
	after not less than 15 years of service as a commissioned officer;
	and
	(B)  is issued by a state or local law enforcement
	agency;
	(6)  a district attorney, criminal district attorney,
	county attorney, or municipal attorney who is licensed to carry a
	concealed handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code;
	(7)  an assistant district attorney, assistant
	criminal district attorney, or assistant county attorney who is
	licensed to carry a concealed handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter
	411, Government Code;
	(8)  a bailiff designated by an active judicial officer
	as defined by Section 411.201, Government Code, who is:
	(A)  licensed to carry a concealed handgun under
	Chapter 411, Government Code; and
	(B)  engaged in escorting the judicial officer; or
	(9)  a juvenile probation officer who is authorized to
	carry a firearm under Section 142.006, Human Resources Code.
	SECTION 13.03.  The change in law made by this article to
	Section 46.15, Penal Code, applies only to an offense committed on
	or after the effective date of this article. An offense committed
	before the effective date of this article is covered by the law in
	effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is
	continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section,
	an offense was committed before the effective date of this article
	if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
	SECTION 13.04.  This article takes effect on the 91st day
	after the last day of the legislative session.
	ARTICLE 14. COURT COSTS
	SECTION 14.01.  Subsection (b), Section 51.005, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  The fees are:
	(1)  application for petition for review [writ of
	error]$ 50
	(2)  additional fee if application for petition for
	review [writ of error] is granted$ 75
	(3)  motion for leave to file petition for writ of
	mandamus, prohibition, injunction, and other similar proceedings
	originating in the supreme court$ 50
	(4)  additional fee if a motion under Subdivision (3)
	is granted$ 75
	(5)  certified question from a federal court of appeals
	to the supreme court$ 75
	(6)  case appealed to the supreme court from the
	district court by direct appeal$100
	(7)  any   other   proceeding   filed   in   the    supreme
	court$ 75.
	SECTION 14.02.  Subsection (a), Section 51.207, Government
	Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The clerk of a court of appeals shall collect the fees
	described in Subsection (b) in a civil case before the court for the
	following services:
	(1)  filing records, applications, motions, briefs,
	and other necessary and proper papers;
	(2)  docketing and making docket and minute book
	entries;
	(3)  issuing notices, citations, processes, and
	mandates;
	(4)  preparing transcripts on application for petition
	for review [writ of error] to the supreme court; and
	(5)  performing other necessary clerical duties.
	SECTION 14.03.  Section 101.021, Government Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	Sec. 101.021.  SUPREME COURT FEES AND COSTS:  GOVERNMENT
	CODE. The clerk of the supreme court shall collect fees and costs
	as follows:
	(1)  application for petition for review [writ of
	error] (Sec. 51.005, Government Code) . . . $50;
	(2)  additional fee if application for petition for
	review [writ of error] is granted (Sec. 51.005, Government Code)
	. . . $75;
	(3)  motion for leave to file petition for writ of
	mandamus, prohibition, injunction, and other similar proceedings
	originating in the supreme court (Sec. 51.005, Government Code)
	. . . $50;
	(4)  additional fee if a motion under Subdivision (3)
	is granted (Sec. 51.005, Government Code) . . . $75;
	(5)  certified question from a federal court of appeals
	to the supreme court (Sec. 51.005, Government Code) . . . $75;
	(6)  case appealed to the supreme court from the
	district court by direct appeal (Sec. 51.005, Government Code)
	. . . $100;
	(7)  any other proceeding filed in the supreme court
	(Sec. 51.005, Government Code) . . . $75;
	(8)  administering an oath and giving a sealed
	certificate of the oath (Sec. 51.005, Government Code) . . . $5;
	(9)  making certain copies, including certificate and
	seal (Sec. 51.005, Government Code) . . . $5, or $0.50 per page if
	more than 10 pages;
	(10)  any official service performed by the clerk for
	which a fee is not otherwise provided (Sec. 51.005, Government
	Code) . . . reasonable amount set by order or rule of supreme court;
	(10-a)  supreme court support account filing fee (Sec.
	51.0051, Government Code) . . . amount set by the supreme court,
	not to exceed $50;
	(11)  issuance of attorney's license or certificate
	(Sec. 51.006, Government Code) . . . $10; and
	(12)  additional filing fee to fund civil legal
	services for the indigent (Sec. 51.941, Government Code) . . . $25.
	ARTICLE 15.  COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN COUNTY JUVENILE BOARDS
	SECTION 15.01.  Subsection (a), Section 152.2051, Human
	Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The Rockwall County Juvenile Board is composed of:
	(1)  the judge of the County Court at Law of Rockwall
	County;
	(2)  the district judges [judge] in Rockwall County;
	(3)  one county commissioner appointed by the
	commissioners court;
	(4)  one member of the board of trustees of the Rockwall
	Independent School District selected by the board of trustees of
	the Rockwall Independent School District; and
	(5)  one member of the board of trustees of the Royse
	City Independent School District selected by the board of trustees
	of the Royse City Independent School District.
	ARTICLE 16.  NO APPROPRIATION; EFFECTIVE DATE
	SECTION 16.01.  This Act does not make an appropriation.  A
	provision in this Act that creates a new governmental program,
	creates a new entitlement, or imposes a new duty on a governmental
	entity is not mandatory during a fiscal period for which the
	legislature has not made a specific appropriation to implement the
	provision.
	SECTION 16.02.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act,
	this Act takes effect January 1, 2012.
	______________________________	______________________________
	President of the Senate	Speaker of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 79 was passed by the House on June 22,
	2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 117, Nays 18, 1 present, not
	voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
	No. 79 on June 29, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 94, Nays 44, 1
	present, not voting.
	______________________________
	Chief Clerk of the House
	I certify that H.B. No. 79 was passed by the Senate, with
	amendments, on June 27, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays
	3.
	______________________________
	Secretary of the Senate
	APPROVED: __________________
	Date
	__________________
	Governor