Sec. 54A.007.  ORDER OF REFERRAL.  (a)  To refer one or more cases to an associate judge, a judge must issue a written order of referral that specifies the associate judge's duties.
(b)  An order of referral may:
(1)  limit the powers of the associate judge and direct the associate judge 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 associate judge's findings;
(5)  designate proceedings for more than one case over which the associate judge shall preside;
(6)  direct the associate judge to call the court's docket; and
(7)  set forth general powers and limitations or authority of the associate judge applicable to any case referred.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 6.01, eff. January 1, 2012.