The bill amends Section 25.1102(a) of the Government Code to expand the jurisdiction of county courts at law in Hidalgo County. Specifically, it grants these courts concurrent jurisdiction with district courts in family law cases, civil cases, and newly includes criminal cases for offenses punishable as state jail felonies. The previous limitation that restricted jurisdiction based on the amount in controversy, which could not exceed $750,000, has been removed.

The changes will apply only to actions filed in county courts at law in Hidalgo County on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025. Actions filed before this date will continue to be governed by the law in effect at the time of filing, ensuring that the previous legal framework remains applicable for those cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 25.1102 (Government Code 25)