Sec. 201.308.  POWERS OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE.  (a)  Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may:
(1)  conduct a hearing;
(2)  hear evidence;
(3)  compel production of relevant evidence;
(4)  rule on the admissibility of evidence;
(5)  issue a summons for:
(A)  the appearance of witnesses; and
(B)  the appearance of a parent who has failed to appear before an agency authorized to conduct an investigation of an allegation of abuse or neglect of a child after receiving proper notice;
(6)  examine a witness;
(7)  swear a witness for a hearing;
(8)  make findings of fact on evidence;
(9)  formulate conclusions of law;
(10)  recommend an order to be rendered in a case;
(11)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
(12)  order the attachment of a witness or party who fails to obey a subpoena;
(13)  order the detention of a witness or party found guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court; and
(14)  take action as necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the associate judge's duties.
(b)  An associate judge may, in the interest of justice, refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 6.03, eff. January 1, 2012.