S.B. No. 17 seeks to modernize the judicial branch's operations in Texas by introducing several amendments to the Government Code and other related statutes. The bill proposes the establishment of 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 and the responsibilities of district clerks. A significant change includes raising the threshold for civil cases in statutory county courts from $250,000 to $325,000, allowing these courts to handle a wider range of cases. The bill also introduces new provisions for court security, the assignment of judges, and the compensation of retired judges, aiming to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the judicial process.

Additionally, the bill addresses various aspects of judicial training, protective orders, and confidentiality measures for sensitive information. It mandates judges to complete training on elder abuse and neglect, while also clarifying the requirements for protective orders and juvenile justice procedures. The legislation expands privacy protections for court employees and introduces measures to ensure the safety of judicial personnel. Overall, S.B. No. 17 represents a comprehensive effort to streamline judicial operations, improve the administration of justice, and enhance the safety and privacy of individuals involved in the Texas judicial system.

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