HB 1469

AN ACT relating to the County Court at Law of Bowie County.

House Bill • VanDeaver

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Modifies the jurisdiction and operations of the Bowie County Court at Law. The court will now have concurrent jurisdiction with district courts in family law, probate, and guardianship matters, with some specific limitations on types of cases it can hear. The bill also establishes that civil cases will have 12-member juries, while misdemeanor and certain concurrent jurisdiction cases will have 6-member juries, and allows judges to transfer cases between county and district courts.

Subject Areas

Courts--Reporters Courts--County & Statutory BOWIE COUNTY

Bill Text

relating to the County Court at Law of Bowie County.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 25.0212, Government Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (b), and (f) and adding Subsections (i)
(a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
25.0003 and other law and except as limited by Subsection (b), a
county court at law in Bowie County has, concurrent with the
district court, the jurisdiction provided by the constitution and
by general law for district courts, including concurrent
(3)  family law cases and proceedings, including
(4)  probate and guardianship matters.
(b)  A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:
(2)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
(3)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct;
(5)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
exceeds the amount provided in Section 25.0003 [$200,000],
excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties,
and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the
(f)  The [commissioners court may authorize the judge of a
county court at law to set the] official court reporter of a county
court at law is entitled to compensation, fees, and allowances in
amounts equal to the amounts paid to the official court reporters
serving the district courts in Bowie County, including an annual
salary set by the judge of the county court at law and approved by
the commissioners court [reporter's salary].
(i)  The jury in all civil or criminal matters is composed of
12 members, except in misdemeanor criminal cases and any other case
in which the court has concurrent jurisdiction with county courts
under Section 25.0003(a), the jury is composed of six members.
(j)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a
county court at law and a judge of a district court with
jurisdiction in Bowie County may transfer cases between the courts
in the same manner that judges of district courts may transfer cases
SECTION 2.  Section 25.0212(d), Government Code, is
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.