Harris County is one step closer to receiving five additional district courts from the 89th Texas Legislature, a move that would address what judicial officials are calling a significant uptick in civil case filings. Latosha Lewis Payne, Harris County District Courts administrative judge, said in a June news release that the new courts are a game changer for the judiciary and the community.

“For years, our judges have carried overwhelming caseloads, working to ensure justice is served. These new courts will help balance that workload, reduce delays and allow us to give each case the time and attention it deserves. Most importantly, it means Harris County residents and businesses will see more efficient resolution of their civil disputes, a faster return to normalcy,” Payne said.

The timeline

As of June 17, Senate Bill 2878 is pending a signature from Gov. Greg Abbott to make it law. The bill was sent to the governor’s office June 3, according to the Texas Legislature bill filing. Once Abbott signs the bill, the plan would be a two-year process, according to the Harris County District Courts office, including:

• Adding three civil district courts in 2025
• Adding two civil district courts in 2026

The bill would also add two additional district courts for Fort Bend County and one for Brazoria County, areas also seeing an increased number of cases, as previously reported in Community Impact.

"As a lawyer and former judge, I know that justice delayed is justice denied,” Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said in an email. “The establishment of five new civil district courts will help alleviate current caseloads and reduce the time needed to resolve cases. With increased efficiency, we will better ensure the fair, quality and timely delivery of justice that everyone deserves."

The cost

Officials from the Harris County Administration Office did not have a comment but said in an email that at least $3 million in costs associated with the new courts were included in the county’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget forecast.