Senate passes omnibus courts bill updating court creation, security and reporting provisions

The Texas Senate passed House Bill 16 on final reading after a floor debate that described the measure as a routine, omnibus courts bill updating court creation dates, jurisdictional adjustments and administrative fixes across the judicial branch.

Senator Joan Hughes (floor sponsor) described HB 16 as containing a package of items including new court creation date adjustments, a new county court law for a county identified on the floor, repeal of an article relating to deed diversion in Guadalupe County, clarifying language on a digital court recording study and Authority for the Office of the Attorney General to represent special prosecutors. "This omnibus bill strengthens our courts, improves efficiency, and promotes fairness in our justice system," Senator Hughes said on the floor, and listed multiple Senate bills folded into the House measure addressing court reporter shortages, court security, administrative judge terms and jail credit reforms.

Senators agreed it was not controversial on the floor and moved to suspend the constitutional three-day rule to take up and pass the bill on the same day. The Senate suspended the rule and final passage was recorded as 27 ayes, no nays.

Key provisions recited on the floor included directing the Office of Court Administration to study digital court reporting, adjustments to multi-county court jurisdiction, clarifications for the special prosecutor—s unit and allowing the Attorney General—s Office to represent those prosecutors, and reforms to credit for jail time and community service.

The Senate recorded a formal roll call for the bill and, after suspending the three-day rule, passed HB 16 on third reading and final passage.

Next steps: HB 16 will return to the receiving chamber and follow normal processes for enrollment and delivery to the governor, including any conference steps if differences remain with the house version.