The bill amends Section 25.0092 of the Government Code to expand the jurisdiction of the County Court at Law in Atascosa County. It grants the court concurrent jurisdiction with the district court over Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases, family law matters, juvenile matters, probate matters, appeals from justice and municipal courts, and civil cases where the matter in controversy exceeds the maximum amount provided by Section 25.0003 but does not exceed $1 million. The bill also specifies that civil cases can include suits related to title to property, enforcement of liens, trials of property rights, and recovery of real property. Additionally, a new subsection (c-1) is added, allowing judges of the county court at law to be assigned to any district court in Atascosa County, enabling them to hear matters pending in those courts.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the compensation structure for the judge of the county court at law, stating that the judge will be paid as provided by Section 25.0005, rather than a fixed amount set by the commissioners court. The previous requirement that the judge's salary be at least $1,000 less than that of a district judge in the county is removed. The changes in jurisdiction and salary provisions will apply only to cases filed or proceedings commenced on or after the effective date of the Act, with prior cases governed by the law in effect at the time they were filed. The Act is set to take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 25.0092 (Government Code 25)