Bill Caption

Relating to the persons authorized to conduct an inquest in certain counties.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

One responsibility of a justice of the peace (JP) is to conduct an inquest upon the death of an individual. Generally if a JP knows that he or she will be unavailable for a time, that duty can be taken on by another JP, or by a county judge. In some rural counties where there is only one JP who happens to be unavailable and the county judge is also unavailable there may not be anyone who can conduct the inquest in person. HB 799 would allow the JP of another county to conduct an inquest into a death upon request if the JP or county judge with jurisdiction are not available. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill enhances our limited government principle by improving efficiency by providing a mechanism for death inquests to be conducted in a timely manner by a qualified individual in the event of the unavailability of the people whose jurisdiction the death occurred in. We support HB 799.