Section 201.308 - Powers of Associate Judge(a) Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may: (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;(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, Sec. 6.03, eff. 1/1/2012.