Texas is preparing for a transformation in its judicial infrastructuredriven by a new legal provision aimed at reducing workloads in the largest urban centers. He Harris County, where Houston is locatedis the epicenter of this expansion, which includes the upcoming Creation of several court seats They will go into operation in 2026.
HB 16 includes a wide range of modifications within the judiciary the state authority. His main goal was Review and improve practices and procedures related to litigation. This is achieved by covering aspects such as the security of judicial authorities, the management of documents and arrest warrants, youth welfare offices and the jurisdiction of various legal authorities.
The passage of this legislation has Impacts that go beyond the construction of a new headquartersby changing the jurisdiction of existing courts and setting out the specific mandate of the newly opened judicial offices.
The law was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott September 17th this year, at the end of the second extraordinary legislative period.
He Harris County is the biggest beneficiary of the county courthouse expansion. In total, five new judicial districts They are scheduled to begin operations in this jurisdiction in the second half of 2026.
This significant increase is committed to improving efficiency in processing cases in this metropolitan area densely populated.
The first wave of openings in Harris is imminent September 1, 2026Date on which Three new committees will be founded. A month later the… October 1, 2026two more are added.
The standard also defines the Expert advice for the new judicial districts. Specifically, it says that courts 513, 514, 515, 516 and 517 will decide Preference for civil cases.
The reconfiguration of the Texas justice map is part of a statewide process being developed through multiple processes Effective dates over several yearsas described in HB 16.
January 1, 2026
The 274th Judicial District will adjust its makeup to include Comal and Hays counties and exclude Guadalupe County from its current concurrent jurisdiction. This change also affects Sections 24.451(a) and (c) of the Government Code.
September 1, 2026
Several districts with different jurisdictions are created:
January 1, 2027
The 522nd Judicial District (formerly the Second 25th) is reconfigured to consist of Gonzales and Guadalupe counties and excludes Colorado and Lavaca County, which were transferred to other jurisdictions.
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