S.B. No. 17 is a comprehensive legislative bill designed to update the operation and administration of the judicial branch in Texas. It introduces several amendments to the Government Code, including the establishment of new judicial districts, such as the 490th through 517th Judicial Districts, set to be created between September 1, 2026, and January 1, 2029. The bill also modifies existing district compositions, such as the 522nd and 274th Judicial Districts, and prioritizes certain case types in specific courts. Additionally, it raises the maximum amount in controversy for civil cases from $250,000 to $325,000, affecting the jurisdiction of statutory county courts, and introduces new provisions for court security committees and the handling of judicial funds.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure and other related statutes to enhance judicial processes, including the collection of fees for expunction proceedings and expanding judicial training requirements. It also introduces measures to protect the confidentiality of personal information for individuals involved in the judicial system, such as court employees and law enforcement personnel. By streamlining court operations, enhancing security, and improving access to justice, S.B. No. 17 aims to create a more efficient and effective judicial system in Texas.

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 71.0354, Government Code 72.016, Government Code 72.083, Government Code 74.024, 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, 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 (Estates Code 1162, Government Code 52, Government Code 71, Election Code 13, Government Code 22, Government Code 75, Family Code 42, Government Code 29, Government Code 30, Tax Code 34, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30, Government Code 72, Human Resources Code 42, Human Resources Code 152, Government Code 552, Local Government Code 135, Government Code 51, Government Code 406, Government Code 81, Government Code 24, Transportation Code 521, Penal Code 42, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16, Election Code 233, Property Code 21, Government Code 43, Health and Safety Code 171, Family Code 6, Election Code 253, Government Code 25, Occupations Code 455, Local Government Code 615, Government Code 74, Government Code 46, Government Code 121)
Senate Committee Report: 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 71.0354, Government Code 72.016, Government Code 72.083, Government Code 74.024, 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, 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 (Estates Code 1162, Government Code 52, Government Code 71, Election Code 13, Government Code 22, Government Code 75, Family Code 42, Government Code 29, Government Code 30, Tax Code 34, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 22, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 30, Government Code 72, Human Resources Code 42, Human Resources Code 152, Government Code 552, Local Government Code 135, Government Code 51, Government Code 406, Government Code 81, Government Code 24, Transportation Code 521, Penal Code 42, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16, Election Code 233, Property Code 21, Government Code 43, Health and Safety Code 171, Family Code 6, Election Code 253, Government Code 25, Occupations Code 455, Local Government Code 615, Government Code 74, Government Code 46, Government Code 121)