H.B. No. 16 proposes significant amendments to the judicial branch of Texas state government, focusing on court security, document handling, and the establishment of new judicial districts. The bill creates several new judicial districts, including the 490th Judicial District in Brazoria County and the 492nd Judicial District in Colorado and Lavaca counties, while also modifying existing district compositions. It raises the threshold for civil actions in county courts at law from $250,000 to $325,000, streamlining case resolution, and specifies that juries in civil cases exceeding this threshold will consist of 12 members unless agreed otherwise. Additionally, the bill updates the responsibilities of district clerks and attorneys, clarifying their roles and enhancing the notification process for rules from the Texas Supreme Court.

The legislation also introduces provisions for the creation of additional county civil courts in Harris County, updates the structure of probate courts in Hidalgo County, and establishes court security committees to develop emergency management plans. It modifies the compensation structure for retired judges and allows for electronic proceedings in the Texas-Mexico border region. Furthermore, the bill expands judicial training requirements to include topics like elder abuse and neglect, enhances protections for sensitive information related to judicial personnel, and establishes new provisions for jury service exemptions. Overall, H.B. No. 16 aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Texas judicial system while ensuring the safety and security of court operations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 24.127, Government Code 24.360, Government Code 24.451, Government Code 24.537, Government Code 24.591, Government Code 24.60043, Government Code 24.911, Government Code 24.913, Government Code 43.101, Government Code 43.177, Government Code 46.002, Government Code 22.004, Government Code 25.0003, Government Code 25.0007, Government Code 25.00212, Government Code 25.0022, Government Code 25.0062, Government Code 25.0092, Government Code 25.0212, Government Code 25.1031, Government Code 25.1101, Government Code 25.1102, Government Code 25.2282, Government Code 25.2452, Government Code 25.2704, Government Code 29.014, Government Code 30.00007, Government Code 30.01014, Government Code 25.002201, Government Code 25.00255, Government Code 74.003, Government Code 74.046, Government Code 74.059, Government Code 74.061, Human Resources Code 152.0191, Human Resources Code 152.0521, Human Resources Code 152.0971, Human Resources Code 152.1551, Human Resources Code 152.1621, Government Code 22.110, Government Code 74.042, Government Code 51.903, Government Code 57.002, Government Code 71.0354, Government Code 72.016, Government Code 72.083, Government Code 74.024, Government Code 74.051, Government Code 74.091, Government Code 75.001, Government Code 121.002, Local Government Code 135.101, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.073, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30.015, Election Code 233.006, Family Code 6.4035, Government Code 22.220, Government Code 406.026, Property Code 21.049, Tax Code 34.03, Transportation Code 521.243, Family Code 42.002, Human Resources Code 42.0426, Human Resources Code 152.00145, Government Code 22.002, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30.0035, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22.004, Estates Code 1162.007, Government Code 52.047, Health and Safety Code 171.208, Occupations Code 455.351, Election Code 13.0021, Election Code 253.152, Government Code 81.113, Government Code 552.024, Government Code 552.1175, Local Government Code 615.003, Penal Code 42.07, Transportation Code 521.121 (Transportation Code 521, Estates Code 1162, Family Code 42, Government Code 43, Government Code 24, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22, Government Code 30, Election Code 253, Government Code 51, Penal Code 42, Local Government Code 135, Government Code 72, Government Code 75, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30, Human Resources Code 152, Election Code 233, Property Code 21, Local Government Code 615, Government Code 52, Tax Code 34, Government Code 81, Government Code 25, Government Code 46, Government Code 74, Human Resources Code 42, Occupations Code 455, Government Code 22, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16, Government Code 29, Government Code 57, Government Code 121, Government Code 406, Family Code 6, Election Code 13, Health and Safety Code 171, Government Code 71, Government Code 552)