Sec. 54.907.  ORDER OF REFERRAL.  (a)  To refer one or more cases to a magistrate, a judge must issue an order of referral specifying the magistrate's duties.  The judge may issue a written order of referral or may read the order of referral into the minutes of the court.
(b)  An order of referral may:
(1)  limit the powers of the magistrate and direct the magistrate 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 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 of authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1068, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 59, Sec. 1, eff. May 10, 1999.