1. (a) Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may:

   1. (1) conduct a hearing;
   2. (2) hear evidence;
   3. (3) compel production of relevant evidence;
   4. (4) rule on the admissibility of evidence;

   5. (5) issue a summons for:

      1. (A) the appearance of witnesses; and
      2. (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. (6) examine a witness;
   7. (7) swear a witness for a hearing;
   8. (8) make findings of fact on evidence;
   9. (9) formulate conclusions of law;
   10. (10) recommend an order to be rendered in a case;
   11. (11) regulate proceedings in a hearing;
   12. (12) order the attachment of a witness or party who fails to obey a subpoena;
   13. (13) order the detention of a witness or party found guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court; and
   14. (14) take action as necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the associate judge's duties.
2. (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.