House Bill No. 5060 seeks to improve the judicial system in Texas by establishing new judicial districts and modifying the jurisdictional provisions for county courts at law. The bill creates the 490th and 491st Judicial Districts in Brazoria County, the 501st and 502nd Judicial Districts in Fort Bend County, the 503rd Judicial District in Rockwall County, and the 504th Judicial District in Ellis County, all set to be operational by September 1, 2025, or September 1, 2026. Additionally, it expands the jurisdiction of county courts at law in Atascosa, Bowie, and Hidalgo Counties to handle a wider array of civil and criminal cases. The bill also introduces new provisions for the assignment of judges, including eligibility criteria, and modifies compensation structures for court reporters while clarifying jury composition in civil and criminal matters.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of the Government Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to enhance judicial processes, including stricter qualifications for grand jurors and the establishment of a permanent exemption for individuals aged 75 and older. It allows individuals to rescind their permanent exemption from jury service and mandates the creation of a register for those claiming such exemptions. The bill also establishes a court security committee to develop security policies for the courts and lowers the population threshold for counties to construct parking facilities near courthouses from 150,000 to 40,000. Overall, these changes aim to streamline judicial operations, enhance court efficiency, and improve access to justice in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 25.0092, Government Code 25.0212, Government Code 25.1102, Government Code 25.1723, Government Code 25.0022, Government Code 25.002201, Government Code 25.00255, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 62.001, Government Code 62.0132, Government Code 62.102, Government Code 62.106, Government Code 62.107, Government Code 62.108, Government Code 62.109, Government Code 62.113, Government Code 13.007, Government Code 62.115, Government Code 57.002, Government Code 74.092, Local Government Code 615.003 (Government Code 25, Government Code 659, Government Code 13, Local Government Code 615, Government Code 74, Government Code 57, Government Code 62)