Volume 6 Issue 48

Indicates featured legislation

Jurisdiction: Newly Introduced

Florida SB 58 (2013) Provides any court, arbitration, tribunal, or administrative agency ruling or decision violates the public policy of this state and is void and unenforceable if the court, arbitration, tribunal, or administrative agency bases its ruling or decision in the matter at issue in whole or in part on any foreign law, legal code, or system that does not grant the parties affected by the ruling or decision the same fundamental liberties, rights, and privileges guaranteed by the State Constitution or the United States Constitution. Establishes exceptions for business contracts, corporations, partnerships, or other forms of business association. Permits religions organizations to adjudicate ecclesiastical matters. Provides that proposed law is not to be in conflict with U.S. treaties. Prefiled (no committee). 

Texas HJR 43 (Constitutional Amendment) (2013) Provides "A court of this state shall uphold the laws of the Constitution of the United States, this Constitution, federal laws, and laws of this state. A court of this state may not enforce, consider, or apply any religious or cultural law." Prefiled (no committee).

Jurisdiction: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Qualifications and Terms: Newly Introduced

Texas HJR 37 (2013) Increases the terms of district judges from 4 to 6 years. Provides for transition to new 6 year terms. Prefiled (no committee).

Rule Making Authority: Newly Introduced

NONE

Rule Making Authority: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Salary and Budget: Newly Introduced

Texas HB 130 (2013) Prohibits any state agency, including the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, or a state judicial agency, from misidentifying a "tax" as a "fee", "surcharge", "assessment", or "penalty". Provides definition of term "tax" for these purposes. Prefiled (no committee).

Salary and Budget: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Selection: Newly Introduced

Texas HB 129 (2013) Requires judges of state's top appellate courts (supreme court and court of criminal appeals) recuse if party, attorney, lawfirm, etc. contributed $2500 or more to judge's campaign in last 4 years. Provides a contribution made an individual to a PAC which then contributes to the judge's campaign is considered a contribution by the individual to the judge's campaign. Prefiled (no committee).

Texas SB 103 (2013) Eliminates straight-party voting for judicial offices. Prefiled (no committee).

Tennessee SJR 2 (Constitutional Amendment) (2013) Provides governor may appoint anyone who meets age and residency requirements to appellate courts with legislative confirmation. Provides nominee is deemed confirmed if legislature fails to act on nomination within 60 calendar days of nomination or 60 days of start of legislative session (if nominated out of session). Provides for retention elections. Previously approved by 2011/2012 legislative session, Must be approved by 2013/2014 session.

Virginia HB 1338 (2013) Prohibits Circuit Court from interim appointing to District Court any person who is the subject of a special and continuing order and under the order such person failed in the House of Delegates or the Senate to receive a majority vote of the members elected to the respective house of the General Assembly. Prefiled (no committee).

Selection: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Structure Changes: Newly Introduced

NONE

Structure Changes: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE

Other: Newly Introduced

NONE

Other: Floor and Committee Activity

NONE