Rule 11.3 - Assignment of Pretrial Judge(a)By presiding judge. On motion or request under 11.4, a presiding judge may assign an active district judge, including himself or herself, to a case to conduct all pretrial proceedings and decide all pretrial matters.(b)Authority of pretrial judge. The pretrial judge will preside over all pretrial proceedings in the case in place of the regular judge. The pretrial judge will decide all pretrial motions, including motions to transfer venue and motions for summary judgment. The pretrial judge and the regular judge must consult on setting a trial date.(c)Different judges assigned. The same pretrial judge need not be assigned in all related cases. If more than one pretrial judge is assigned in related cases, either in the same region or in different regions, the pretrial judges must consult with each other in conducting pretrial proceedings and deciding pretrial matters.(d)Assignment outside region. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may assign an active district judge to other administrative regions to allow the judge to be assigned as a pretrial judge under this rule.(e)No objections to pretrial judge. An assignment under this rule is not made pursuant to section 74.054 of the Government Code, and therefore a pretrial judge is not subject to an objection under section 74.053 of the Government Code.(f)Termination of assignment. An assignment under this rule terminates when: (i) all pretrial proceedings in a case have been completed;(ii) the pretrial judge ceases to be an active district judge; or(iii) the presiding judge in the exercise of discretion terminates the assignment.