Tex. Fam. Code § 201.308

**Tex. Fam. Code § 201.308. POWERS OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE.** (a) Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may: (1) conduct a hearing; (2) hear evidence; (3) compel production of relevant evidence; (4) rule on the admissibility of evidence; (5) issue a summons for: (A) the appearance of witnesses; and (B) the appearance of a parent who has failed to appear before an agency authorized to conduct an investigation of an allegation of abuse or neglect of a child after receiving proper notice; (6) examine a witness; (7) swear a witness for a hearing; (8) make findings of fact on evidence; (9) formulate conclusions of law; (10) recommend an order to be rendered in a case; (11) regulate proceedings in a hearing; (12) order the attachment of a witness or party who fails to obey a subpoena; (13) order the detention of a witness or party found guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court; and (14) take action as necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the associate judge's duties. (b) An associate judge may, in the interest of justice, refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 6.03, eff. January 1, 2012.