Commentary on HB 977 and SB 179

1999 Legislation:

Commentary on HB 977 and SB 179 -- Conversion of
County Court at Law No. 1 in Collin County
into the Probate Court of Collin County

Collin County (McKinney, Plano, etc.) has grown to the point where it makes sense for one of its county courts at law to devote itself to probate matters and become a statutory probate court. HB 977, authored by Rep. McCall, and SB 179, authored by Senator Shapiro, are identical bills which would convert County Court at Law No. 1 of Collin County into the Probate Court of Collin County. The judge of Court # 1 is Weldon S. Copeland, Jr. If either bill becomes law, Judge Copeland would become judge of the statutory probate court effective September 1, 1999.

Two related bills -- HB 976 by Rep. McCall and SB 181 by Senator Shapiro -- would create a new county court at law -- County Court at Law No. 5 -- for Collin County. When one reads the bills together, it is clear that the plan is for Judge Copeland to become the statutory probate judge and for a new judge to be appointed and/or elected to fill the new county court at law. [01/27/99]