H.B. No. 16 proposes significant amendments to the judicial system in Texas, focusing on the operation and administration of various courts. The bill establishes new judicial districts, including the 490th Judicial District in Brazoria County and the 492nd Judicial District in Colorado and Lavaca counties, while modifying existing districts by adding or removing counties. It also raises the threshold for civil cases in statutory county courts from $250,000 to $325,000, allowing these courts to handle a broader range of cases. Additionally, the bill clarifies the roles of district and county clerks in managing civil and criminal matters, mandates separate dockets for district court cases, and introduces provisions for the assignment of judges, including retired judges, to ensure efficient case handling.

Moreover, the bill enhances court security by establishing court security committees responsible for developing emergency management plans and security policies. It also updates the compensation structure for retired judges and introduces new provisions for electronic proceedings in the Texas-Mexico border region. The bill includes various amendments to improve judicial training requirements, streamline fee structures related to expunction proceedings, and enhance protections for sensitive personal information of public service employees. Overall, H.B. No. 16 aims to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of the judicial system in Texas while ensuring fair compensation and access to justice.

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 (Government Code 22, Government Code 29, Tax Code 34, Family Code 6, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16, Government Code 57, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22, Election Code 253, Government Code 52, Government Code 46, Government Code 72, Human Resources Code 152, Election Code 233, Transportation Code 521, Government Code 74, Election Code 13, Local Government Code 615, Property Code 21, Family Code 42, Government Code 406, Government Code 51, Government Code 81, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30, Human Resources Code 42, Government Code 30, Government Code 552, Local Government Code 135, Estates Code 1162, Health and Safety Code 171, Government Code 121, Government Code 24, Government Code 71, Government Code 43, Occupations Code 455, Government Code 25, Penal Code 42, Government Code 75)