Sec. 54.2812.  ORDER OF REFERRAL.  (a)  To refer one or more cases to the criminal law magistrate court or the criminal law magistrate court associate judge, a judge must issue a written order of referral that specifies the magistrate court's duties.
(b)  An order of referral may:
(1)  limit the powers of the magistrate court and direct the magistrate to report only on specific issues, perform 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 magistrate's findings;
(5)  designate proceedings for more than one case over which the magistrate shall preside;
(6)  direct the magistrate to call the court's docket; and
(7)  set forth general powers and limitations or authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 4.006, eff. September 1, 2023.