HB1317 - Relating to authorizing the attorney general to petition the chief justice of the supreme court to convene a special three-judge district court in certain circumstances.

      By: Schoolcraft H.B. No. 1317       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to authorizing the attorney general to petition the chief   justice of the supreme court to convene a special three-judge   district court in certain circumstances.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          Section 22A.001, Government Code, is amended by amending   Subsection (a) to read as follows:          Sec. 22A.001.  ELIGIBLE PROCEEDINGS. (a) The attorney   general may petition the chief justice of the supreme court to   convene a special three-judge district court in any suit filed in a   district court in this state in which this state or a state officer   or agency is a defendant in a claim that:                (1)  challenges the finances or operations of this   state's public school system , including a challenge to   accountability under Chapter 39, Subchapters C, D, and F, Education   Code ; or                (2)  involves the apportionment of districts for the   house of representatives, the senate, the State Board of Education,   or the United States Congress, or state judicial districts.          (b)  A petition filed by the attorney general under this   section stays all proceedings in the district court in which the   original case was filed until the chief justice of the supreme court   acts on the petition.          (c)  Within a reasonable time after receipt of a petition   from the attorney general under Subsection (a), the chief justice   of the supreme court shall grant the petition and issue an order   transferring the case to a special three-judge district court   convened as provided by Section 22A.002.          SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.