Tex. Government Code § 54A.007

This is the official text of Tex. Government Code § 54A.007, part of Texas’s Government Code — covers the structure and operation of Texas state and local government.

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§ 54A.007. ORDER OF REFERRAL.

Official statutory text

(a) To refer one or more cases to an associate judge, a judge must issue a written order of referral that specifies the associate judge's duties.

(b) An order of referral may:

(1) limit the powers of the associate judge and direct the associate judge to report only on specific issues, do particular acts, or receive and report on evidence only;

(2) set the time and place for the hearing;

(3) prescribe a closing date for the hearing;

(4) provide a date for filing the associate judge's findings;

(5) designate proceedings for more than one case over which the associate judge shall preside;

(6) direct the associate judge to call the court's docket; and

(7) set forth general powers and limitations or authority of the associate judge applicable to any case referred.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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