Bill > HB1469

This bill modifies the jurisdiction and operations of the County Court at Law in Bowie County, Texas, expanding its concurrent jurisdiction to include specialty court programs, misdemeanor cases, family law and juvenile matters, and probate and guardianship proceedings. The bill increases the maximum civil case monetary threshold (removing the previous $200,000 limit) and clarifies that juries will be composed of 12 members in most cases, with six members in misdemeanor and certain other concurrent jurisdiction cases. It also establishes that the official court reporter for the county court at law will receive compensation equal to district court reporters, with their salary set by the county court at law judge and approved by the commissioners court. Additionally, the bill allows judges of the county court at law and district courts in Bowie County to transfer cases between courts in the same manner as district court judges, providing more flexibility in case management. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and the bill repeals a previously existing subsection of the Government Code related to the court's operations.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1469