89R25565 AMF/JCG-F     By: Leach H.B. No. 1761     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1761:     By:  Schofield C.S.H.B. No. 1761       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on   Judicial Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial   compensation and related retirement benefits, and the reporting of   certain judicial transparency information; authorizing an   administrative penalty.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 22.302(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  At the discretion of its chief justice or presiding   judge, the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, or a court   of appeals may order that oral argument be presented through the use   of teleconferencing technology. The [court and the] parties or   their attorneys may participate in oral argument from any location   through the use of teleconferencing technology. Unless exigent   circumstances require otherwise, the court shall participate in   oral argument presented through teleconferencing technology from a   courtroom or other facility provided to the court by this state.           SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 23, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 23.303 to read as follows:          Sec. 23.303.  PROCEDURES RELATED TO MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY   JUDGMENT; ANNUAL REPORT.  (a)  The business court, a district court,   or a statutory county court shall, with respect to a motion for   summary judgment:                (1)  hear oral argument on the motion or consider the   motion without oral argument not later than the 45th day after the   date the response to the motion was filed; and                (2)  file with the clerk of the court and provide to the   parties a written ruling on the motion not later than the 90th day   after the date the motion was argued or considered.          (b)  If a motion for summary judgment is considered by a   court described by Subsection (a) without oral argument, the court   shall record in the docket the date the motion was considered   without argument.          (c)  A clerk of a court described by Subsection (a) shall   report the court's compliance with the times prescribed by this   section to the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial   System not less than once per quarter using the procedure the office   prescribes for the submission of reports under this subsection.           (d)  The Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial   System shall prepare an annual report regarding compliance of   courts and clerks with the requirements of this section during the   preceding state fiscal year. Not later than December 31 of each   year, the office shall submit the report prepared under this   section to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the   house of representatives and make the report publicly available.          (e)  Notwithstanding Section 22.004, Subsection (a) or (b)   may not be modified or repealed by supreme court rule.          SECTION 3.  Section 33.001(a), Government Code, is amended   by amending Subdivision (8) and adding Subdivision (8-a) to read as   follows:                (8)  "Judge" means a justice, judge, master,   magistrate, justice of the peace, or retired or former judge as   described by Section 1-a, Article V, Texas Constitution, or other   person who performs the functions of the justice, judge, master,   magistrate, justice of the peace, or retired or former judge.                (8-a)  "Official misconduct" has the meaning assigned   by Article 3.04, Code of Criminal Procedure.          SECTION 4.  Effective January 1, 2026, Section   33.001(a)(10), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:                (10)  "Sanction" means an order issued by the   commission under Section 1-a(8), Article V, Texas Constitution,   providing for a [private or] public admonition, warning, or   reprimand or requiring that a person obtain additional training or   education.          SECTION 5.  Section 33.001(b), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  For purposes of Section 1-a, Article V, Texas   Constitution, "wilful or persistent conduct that is clearly   inconsistent with the proper performance of a judge's duties"   includes:                (1)  wilful, persistent, and unjustifiable failure to   timely execute the business of the court, considering the quantity   and complexity of the business, including failure to meet   deadlines, performance measures or standards, or clearance rate   requirements set by statute, administrative rule, or binding court   order;                (2)  wilful violation of a provision of the Texas penal   statutes or the Code of Judicial Conduct;                (3)  persistent or wilful violation of the rules   promulgated by the supreme court;                (4)  incompetence in the performance of the duties of   the office;                (5)  failure to cooperate with the commission; [or]                (6)  violation of any provision of a voluntary   agreement to resign from judicial office in lieu of disciplinary   action by the commission;                (7)  persistent or wilful violation of Article 17.15,   Code of Criminal Procedure; or                (8)  persistent or wilful violation of Section   22.302(a).          SECTION 6.  Section 33.0211, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as   follows:          (a)  The commission shall maintain a file on each written   complaint filed with the commission. The file must include:                (1)  the name of the person who filed the complaint;                (2)  the date the complaint is received by the   commission;                (3)  the subject matter of the complaint;                (4)  additional documentation supporting the complaint   submitted under Subsection (a-1);                 (5)  the name of each person contacted in relation to   the complaint;                (6) [(5)]  a summary of the results of the review or   investigation of the complaint; and                (7) [(6)]  an explanation of the reason the file was   closed, if the commission closed the file without taking action   other than to investigate the complaint.          (a-1)  Not later than the 45th day after the date a person   files a complaint with the commission, the person may submit to the   commission additional documentation to support the complaint.          SECTION 7.  Subchapter B, Chapter 33, Government Code, is   amended by adding Sections 33.02111 and 33.02115 to read as   follows:          Sec. 33.02111.  STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS. (a)  Except as   provided by Subsection (b), the commission may not investigate and   shall dismiss a complaint filed on or after the seventh anniversary   of the date:                (1)  the alleged misconduct occurred; or                (2)  the complainant knew, or with the exercise of   reasonable diligence should have known, of the alleged misconduct.          (b)  The commission may investigate and not dismiss a   complaint described by Subsection (a) if the commission determines   good cause exists for investigating the complaint.          Sec. 33.02115.  FALSE COMPLAINT; ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY.   (a)  The commission may impose administrative sanctions, including   an administrative penalty under Subsection (b), against a person   who knowingly files a false complaint with the commission under   this subchapter.          (b)  The commission may impose on a person described by   Subsection (a) an administrative penalty in the amount of:                (1)  not more than $500 for the first false complaint;                 (2)  not more than $2,500 for the second false   complaint; and                (3)  not less than $5,000 but not more than $10,000 for   each false complaint filed subsequent to the second.          (c)  An order imposing an administrative penalty or other   sanction under this section is a public record.  The commission   shall publish notice of the penalty or other sanction on the   commission's Internet website.          SECTION 8.  Section 33.0212, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 33.0212.  REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON FILED   COMPLAINTS.  (a)  As soon as practicable after a complaint is filed   with the commission, commission staff shall conduct a preliminary   investigation of the filed complaint and draft recommendations for   commission action.          (a-1)  If, after completing a preliminary investigation   under Subsection (a), commission staff determines that given the   content of a complaint a full investigation is necessary before the   next commission meeting, commission staff may commence the   investigation.  Not less than seven business days after the date   commission staff commences a full investigation under this   subsection, the staff shall provide written notice of the full   investigation to the judge who is the subject of the complaint.   Notice provided under this subsection shall comply with the   requirements of Section 33.022(c)(1)(B).          (a-2)  Not later than the 10th day before a scheduled   commission meeting [120th day after the date a complaint is filed   with the commission], commission staff shall prepare and file with   each member of the commission a report detailing:                (1)  each complaint for which a preliminary   investigation has been conducted under Subsection (a) but for which   the investigation report has not been finalized under Subsection   (b);                (2)  the results of the preliminary investigation of   the complaint, including whether commission staff commenced a full   investigation under Subsection (a-1); and                (3)  the commission staff's recommendations for   commission action regarding the complaint, including any   recommendation for further investigation or termination of the   investigation and dismissal of the complaint.          (b)  Not later than the 120th [90th] day following the date   of the first commission meeting at which a complaint is included in   the report filed with the commission under Subsection (a-2) [staff   files with the commission the report required by Subsection (a)],   the commission shall finalize the investigation report and   determine any action to be taken regarding the complaint,   including:                (1)  a public sanction;                (2)  a private sanction;                (3)  a suspension;                (4)  an order of education;                (5)  an acceptance of resignation in lieu of   discipline;                (6)  a dismissal; or                (7)  an initiation of formal proceedings.          (b-1)  After the commission meeting at which an   investigation report is finalized and an action is determined under   Subsection (b), the commission shall provide to the judge who is the   subject of a complaint:                (1)  written notice of the action to be taken regarding   the complaint not more than:                      (A)  five business days after the commission   meeting if the commission determines no further action will be   taken on the complaint; or                      (B)  seven business days after the commission   meeting if the commission determines to take any further action on   the complaint, including by pursuing further investigation; and                (2)  as the commission determines appropriate,   published notice of the action to be taken by posting the notice on   the commission's Internet website not less than five business days   after notice is provided under Subdivision (1).          (c)  If, because of extenuating circumstances, the   commission [staff] is unable to finalize an investigation report   and determine the action to be taken regarding a complaint under   Subsection (b) [provide an investigation report and recommendation   to the commission] before the 120th day following the date of the   first [the complaint was filed with the] commission meeting at   which a complaint is included in the report filed with the   commission under Subsection (a-2), the commission may order an   extension [the staff shall notify the commission and propose the   number of days required for the commission and commission staff to   complete the investigation report and recommendations and finalize   the complaint.  The staff may request an extension] of not more than   240 [270] days from the date of the first [the complaint was filed   with the] commission meeting at which a complaint is included in the   report filed with the commission under Subsection (a-2).  [The   commission shall finalize the complaint not later than the 270th   day following the date the complaint was filed with the   commission.]          (c-1)  If a complaint against a judge alleges multiple   instances of misconduct or the commission determines multiple   complaints have been submitted against the judge, the commission   may order an additional extension of not more than 90 days after the   date the extension under Subsection (c) expires.          (c-2)  Each member of the commission shall certify an   investigation report finalized in accordance with this section by   signing the report. The signature required under this subsection   may be electronic.          (d)  [The executive director may request that the   chairperson grant an additional 120 days to the time provided under   Subsection (c) for the commission and commission staff to complete   the investigation report and recommendations and finalize the   complaint.          [(e)]  If the commission orders an extension of time under   Subsection (c) or (c-1) [chairperson grants additional time under   Subsection (d)], the commission must timely inform the following   [legislature] of the extension:                (1)  the governor;                (2)  the lieutenant governor;                (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives;                (4)  the presiding officer of each legislative standing   committee with primary jurisdiction over the judiciary;                (5)  the chief justice of the supreme court;                (6)  the Office of Court Administration of the Texas   Judicial System; and                (7)  the presiding judge of the administrative judicial   region in which is located the court the judge who is the subject of   the complaint serves.          (e)  The commission may not disclose to a person informed   under Subsection (d) [the legislature] any confidential   information regarding the complaint.          SECTION 9.  Effective January 1, 2026, Section 33.0212(b),   Government Code, is amended to read as follows:          (b)  Not later than the 120th [90th] day following the date   of the first commission meeting at which a complaint is included in   the report filed with the commission under Subsection (a-2) [staff   files with the commission the report required by Subsection (a)],   the commission shall finalize the investigation report and   determine any action to be taken regarding the complaint,   including:                (1)  a public sanction;                (2)  [a private sanction;                [(3)]  a suspension;                (3) [(4)]  an order of education;                (4) [(5)]  an acceptance of resignation in lieu of   discipline;                (5) [(6)]  a dismissal; or                (6) [(7)]  an initiation of formal proceedings.          SECTION 10.  Section 33.0213, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 33.0213.  NOTIFICATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY   INVESTIGATION. On notice by any law enforcement agency   investigating an action for which a complaint has been filed with   the commission, the commission:                (1)  may place the commission's complaint file on hold   and decline any further investigation that would jeopardize the law   enforcement agency's investigation; or                (2)  shall[.  The commission may] continue an   investigation that would not jeopardize a law enforcement   investigation regarding the conduct subject to the complaint and   may issue a censure or sanction based on the complaint.          SECTION 11.  Section 33.022, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsections (b-1) and   (b-2) to read as follows:          (b)  If, after conducting a preliminary investigation under   this section, [the] commission staff determine [determines] that an   allegation or appearance of misconduct or disability is unfounded   or frivolous, [the] commission staff shall recommend the commission   [shall] terminate the investigation and dismiss the complaint.          (b-1)  If, after conducting a preliminary investigation   under this section, commission staff determine administrative   deficiencies in the complaint preclude further investigation,   commission staff may terminate the investigation and dismiss the   complaint without action by the commission.          (b-2)  If a complaint is dismissed under Subsection (b) or   (b-1), the commission shall notify the judge in writing of the   dismissal not more than five business days after the dismissal   date.          (c)  If, after conducting a preliminary investigation under   this section, the commission does not determine that an allegation   or appearance of misconduct or disability is unfounded or   frivolous, the commission:                (1)  shall:                      (A)  conduct a full investigation of the   circumstances surrounding the allegation or appearance of   misconduct or disability; and                      (B)  not more than seven business days after the   commission staff commences a full investigation under this   subsection, notify the judge in writing of:                            (i)  the commencement of the investigation;   [and]                            (ii)  the nature of the allegation or   appearance of misconduct or disability being investigated; and                            (iii)  the judge's right to attend each   commission meeting at which the complaint is included in the report   filed with commission members under Section 33.0212(a-2); and                (2)  may:                      (A)  order the judge to:                            (i)  submit a written response to the   allegation or appearance of misconduct or disability; or                            (ii)  appear informally before the   commission;                      (B)  order the deposition of any person; or                      (C)  request the complainant to appear informally   before the commission.          SECTION 12.  Section 33.023, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 33.023.  SUBSTANCE ABUSE; PHYSICAL OR MENTAL INCAPACITY   OF JUDGE; SUSPENSION.  (a)  For each filed complaint alleging   substance abuse by, or the physical or mental incapacity of, a judge   and questioning the judge's ability to perform the judge's official   duties, the commission shall conduct a preliminary investigation of   the complaint and present the results of the preliminary   investigation to each member of the commission not later than the   30th day after the date the complaint is filed.          (b)  If, after reviewing the results of the preliminary   investigation, the commission determines the judge's alleged   substance abuse or physical or mental incapacity brings into   question the judge's ability to perform the judge's official   duties, the commission shall provide the judge written notice of   the complaint and subpoena the judge to appear before the   commission at the commission's next regularly scheduled meeting.          (c)  If, following the judge's appearance before the   commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting, the commission   decides to require the judge to submit to a physical or mental   examination, the commission shall:                (1)  suspend the judge from office with pay for a period   not to exceed 90 days;                (2)  provide the judge written notice of the   suspension;                (3)  [In any investigation or proceeding that involves   the physical or mental incapacity of a judge, the commission may]   order the judge to submit to a physical or mental examination by one   or more qualified physicians or a mental examination by one or more   qualified psychologists selected and paid for by the commission;   and                (4)  provide[.          [(b)  The commission shall give] the judge written notice of   the examination not later than 10 days before the date of the   examination.          (d)  The notice provided under Subsection (c)(4) must   include the physician's name and the date, time, and place of the   examination.          (e) [(c)]  Each examining physician shall file a written   report of the examination with the commission and the report shall   be received as evidence without further formality.  On request of   the judge or the judge's attorney, the commission shall give the   judge a copy of the report.  The physician's oral or deposition   testimony concerning the report may be required by the commission   or by written demand of the judge.          (f)  If, after receiving the written report of an examining   physician or the physician's deposition testimony concerning the   report, the commission determines the judge is unable to perform   the judge's official duties because of substance abuse or physical   or mental incapacity, the commission shall:                (1)  recommend to the supreme court suspension of the   judge from office; or                (2)  enter into an indefinite voluntary agreement with   the judge for suspension of the judge with pay until the commission   determines the judge is physically and mentally competent to resume   the judge's official duties.          (g) [(d)]  If a judge refuses to submit to a physical or   mental examination ordered by the commission under this section,   the commission may petition a district court for an order   compelling the judge to submit to the physical or mental   examination and recommend to the supreme court suspension of the   judge from office.          SECTION 13.  Effective January 1, 2026, Section 33.032(d),   Government Code, is amended to read as follows:          (d)  The disciplinary record of a judge[, including any   private sanctions,] is admissible in a subsequent proceeding before   the commission, a special master, a special court of review, or a   review tribunal.          SECTION 14.  Effective January 1, 2026, Section 33.033(b),   Government Code, is amended to read as follows:          (b)  The communication shall inform the complainant that:                (1)  the case has been dismissed;                (2)  an [a private sanction or] order of additional   education has been issued by the commission;                (3)  a public sanction has been issued by the   commission;                (4)  formal proceedings have been instituted; or                (5)  a judge has resigned from judicial office in lieu   of disciplinary action by the commission.          SECTION 15.  Section 33.034, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (j) to read as   follows:          (a)  A judge who receives from the commission a sanction or   censure issued by the commission under Section 1-a(8), Article V,   Texas Constitution, may request [or any other type of sanction is   entitled to] a review of the commission's decision as provided by   this section. This section does not apply to a decision by the   commission to institute formal proceedings.          (j)  If the commission issues a public reprimand of a judge   based on the judge's persistent or wilful violation of Article   17.15, Code of Criminal Procedure, the commission shall send notice   of the reprimand to:                (1)  the governor;                 (2)  the lieutenant governor;                 (3)  the speaker of the house of representatives;                 (4)  the presiding officer of each legislative standing   committee with primary jurisdiction over the judiciary;                (5)  the chief justice of the supreme court;                (6)  the Office of Court Administration of the Texas   Judicial System;                (7)  the presiding judge of the administrative judicial   region in which is located the court the reprimanded judge serves;   and                (8)  each judge of a constitutional county court in the   geographic region in which the reprimanded judge serves.          SECTION 16.  Section 33.037, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 33.037.  SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE [PENDING APPEAL]. (a)   If a judge who is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor involving   official misconduct appeals the conviction, the commission shall   suspend the judge from office without pay pending final disposition   of the appeal.          (b)  Not later than the 21st day after the date the   commission initiates formal proceedings against a judge based on   the judge's persistent or wilful violation of Article 17.15, Code   of Criminal Procedure, the commission shall recommend to the   supreme court that the judge be suspended from office pursuant to   Section 1-a, Article V, Texas Constitution.          SECTION 17.  Subchapter B, Chapter 33, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 33.041 to read as follows:          Sec. 33.041.  JUDICIAL DIRECTORY; NOTICE.  (a)  The Office of   Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System shall:                (1)  establish a judicial directory that contains the   contact information, including the e-mail address, for each judge   in this state; and                (2)  provide the commission with access to the   directory for the purpose of providing to a judge written notice   required by this subchapter.          (b)  Written notice required by this subchapter may be   provided to a judge by e-mail.          SECTION 18.  Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 72.0396 to read as follows:          Sec. 72.0396.  JUDICIAL TRANSPARENCY INFORMATION. (a)  Each   district court judge required to submit information under rules   adopted under Subsection (e) shall submit to the presiding judge of   the administrative judicial region in which the judge's court sits   not later than the 20th day of each calendar quarter information for   the preceding quarter in which the judge attests to:                (1)  the number of hours the judge presided over the   judge's court at the courthouse or another court facility; and                (2)  the number of hours the judge performed judicial   duties other than those described by Subdivision (1), including the   number of hours the judge:                      (A)  performed case-related duties;                      (B)  performed administrative tasks; and                      (C)  completed continuing education.          (b)  The presiding judge of each administrative judicial   region shall submit the information submitted under Subsection (a)   to the office in the manner prescribed by the supreme court.          (c)  The office shall provide administrative support for the   submission and collection of information under Subsection (a),   including providing a system for electronic submission of the   information.          (d)  Not later than December 1 of each year, the office shall   prepare and submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the   speaker of the house of representatives, and each presiding officer   of a legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over   the judiciary a written report compiling the information submitted   under Subsection (b).          (e)  The supreme court shall adopt rules to implement the   reporting of information under Subsection (a), including rules:                (1)  establishing eligibility criteria for a judge   required to submit information based on performance measures   reported under Section 72.083 and other measures the court   considers appropriate;                (2)  establishing a penalty for the failure to submit   required information and the submission of false information; and                (3)  providing guidance on the form and manner of   reporting.          SECTION 19.  Section 73.003(e), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (e)  At the discretion of its chief justice, a court to which   a case is transferred may hear oral argument through the use of   teleconferencing technology as provided by Section 22.302.  [The   court and the parties or their attorneys may participate in oral   argument from any location through the use of teleconferencing   technology.]  The actual and necessary expenses of the court in   hearing an oral argument through the use of teleconferencing   technology shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated for   the transfer of case, as specified in Subsection (d).          SECTION 20.  Section 74.055(c), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  To be eligible to be named on the list, a retired or   former judge must:                (1)  have served as an active judge for at least 96   months in a district, statutory probate, statutory county, or   appellate court;                (2)  have developed substantial experience in the   judge's area of specialty;                (3)  not have been removed from office;                (4)  certify under oath to the presiding judge, on a   form prescribed by the state board of regional judges, that:                      (A)  the judge has never been publicly reprimanded   or censured by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, excluding   any reprimand or censure reviewed and rescinded by a special court   of review under Section 33.034;                      (B)  the judge has not received more than one of   any other type of public sanction, excluding any sanction reviewed   and rescinded by a special court of review under Section 33.034; and                      (C) [(B)]  the judge:                            (i)  did not resign or retire from office   after the State Commission on Judicial Conduct notified the judge   of the commencement of a full investigation into an allegation or   appearance of misconduct or disability of the judge as provided in   Section 33.022 and before the final disposition of that   investigation; or                            (ii)  if the judge did resign from office   under circumstances described by Subparagraph (i), was not publicly   reprimanded or censured as a result of the investigation;                (5)  annually demonstrate that the judge has completed   in the past state fiscal year the educational requirements for   active district, statutory probate, and statutory county court   judges; and                (6)  certify to the presiding judge a willingness not   to appear and plead as an attorney in any court in this state for a   period of two years.          SECTION 21.  Section 659.012, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsections (b-2) and   (d-1) to read as follows:          (a)  Notwithstanding Section 659.011 and subject to   Subsections (b) and (b-1):                (1)  a judge of a district court or a division of the   business court is entitled to an annual base salary from the state   as set by the General Appropriations Act in an amount equal to at   least $182,000 [$140,000], except that the combined base salary of   a district judge or judge of a division of the business court from   all state and county sources, including compensation for any   extrajudicial services performed on behalf of the county, may not   exceed the amount that is $5,000 less than the maximum combined base   salary from all state and county sources for a justice of a court of   appeals other than a chief justice as determined under this   subsection;                (2)  except as provided by Subdivision (3), a justice   of a court of appeals [other than the chief justice] is entitled to   an annual base salary from the state in the amount equal to 110   percent of the state base salary of a district judge as set by the   General Appropriations Act, except that the combined base salary of   a justice of the court of appeals [other than the chief justice]   from all state and county sources, including compensation for any   extrajudicial services performed on behalf of the county, may not   exceed the amount that is $5,000 less than the base salary for a   justice of the supreme court as determined under this subsection;                (3)  a justice of the Court of Appeals for the Fifteenth   Court of Appeals District [other than the chief justice] is   entitled to an annual base salary from the state in the amount equal   to $5,000 less than 120 percent of the state base salary of a   district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act;                (4)  a justice of the supreme court [other than the   chief justice] or a judge of the court of criminal appeals [other   than the presiding judge] is entitled to an annual base salary from   the state in the amount equal to 120 percent of the state base   salary of a district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act;   and                (5)  the chief justice or presiding judge of an   appellate court is entitled to additional compensation [an annual   base salary] from the state in the amount equal to seven percent of   [$2,500 more than] the state base salary provided for the other   justices or judges of the court[, except that the combined base   salary of the chief justice of a court of appeals from all state and   county sources may not exceed the amount equal to $2,500 less than   the base salary for a justice of the supreme court as determined   under this subsection].          (b-2)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,   the additional compensation from the state paid to a chief justice   or presiding judge of an appellate court in accordance with   Subsection (a)(5) is not included as part of the judge's or   justice's combined base salary from all state and county sources   for purposes of determining whether the judge's or justice's salary   exceeds the limitation.          (d)  Notwithstanding any other provision in this section or   other law, [in a county with more than five district courts,] a   district judge who serves as a local administrative district judge   under Section 74.091 is entitled to an annual base salary from the   state in the amount provided under Subsection (a) or (b) and an   additional annual [in the] amount from the state equal to:                (1)  in a county with three or four district courts,   three percent of the annual base [$5,000 more than the maximum]   salary for a judge of a district court [from the state to which the   judge is otherwise entitled] under Subsection (a);                (2)  in a county with more than four but fewer than 10   district courts, five percent of the annual base salary for a judge   of a district court under Subsection (a); or                (3)  in a county with 10 or more district courts, seven   percent of the annual base salary for a judge of a district court   under Subsection (a) [or (b)].          (d-1)  Notwithstanding any other provision in this section   or other law, a judge of a division of the business court who serves   as administrative presiding judge under Section 25A.009 is entitled   to an annual base salary from the state in the amount provided under   Subsection (a) or (b) and an additional annual amount equal to the   amount provided under Subsection (d)(3).          SECTION 22.  Section 665.052(b), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  In this section, "incompetency" means:                (1)  gross ignorance of official duties;                (2)  gross carelessness in the discharge of official   duties; [or]                (3)  inability or unfitness to discharge promptly and   properly official duties because of a serious physical or mental   defect that did not exist at the time of the officer's election; or                (4)  persistent or wilful violation of Article 17.15,   Code of Criminal Procedure.          SECTION 23.  Sections 814.103(a), (a-1), and (b), Government   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-1) or (b), the   standard service retirement annuity for service credited in the   elected class of membership is an amount equal to the number of   years of service credit in that class, times 2.3 percent of $140,000   [the state base salary, excluding longevity pay payable under   Section 659.0445 and as adjusted from time to time, being paid to a   district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act in   accordance with Section 659.012(a)].          (a-1)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), the standard   service retirement annuity for service credited in the elected   class of membership for a member of the class under Section   812.002(a)(3) whose effective date of retirement is on or after   September 1, 2019, is an amount equal to the number of years of   service credit in that class, times 2.3 percent of the state salary,   excluding longevity pay payable under Section 659.0445 [and as   adjusted from time to time], being paid in accordance with Section   659.012 to a district judge who has the same number of years of   contributing service credit as the member on the member's last day   of service as a district or criminal district attorney, as   applicable.          (b)  The standard service retirement annuity for service   credited in the elected class may not exceed at any time 100 percent   of, as applicable:                (1)  the dollar amount on which the annuity is based   under Subsection (a); or                (2)  the state salary of a district judge on which the   annuity is based under Subsection [(a) or] (a-1)[, as applicable].          SECTION 24.  Section 820.053(c), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  For purposes of this section, a member of the elected   class of membership under Section 812.002(a)(2) shall have the   member's accumulated account balance computed as if the   contributions to the account were based on an annual [the state   base] salary of $140,000[, excluding longevity pay payable under   Section 659.0445, being paid a district judge as set by the General   Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012(a)].          SECTION 25.  Section 834.102, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:          (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) or (d) or any other law:                (1)  any increase in the state base salary being paid to   a district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act in   accordance with Section 659.012 by the 89th Legislature, Regular   Session, 2025, does not apply to a service retirement annuity   computed under this section of a retiree or beneficiary if the   retiree on whose service the annuity is based retired before   September 1, 2025; and                (2)  the amount of the state base salary being paid to a   district judge as set by Chapter 1170 (H.B. 1), Acts of the 88th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2023 (the General Appropriations   Act), for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2025, in accordance with   Section 659.012 continues to apply to the annuities described by   Subdivision (1) until the effective date of legislation the 90th   Legislature or a later legislature enacts that increases the state   base salary paid to a district judge as set by the General   Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012.          (f)  On the effective date of legislation the 90th   Legislature or a later legislature enacts that increases the state   base salary paid to a district judge, as described by Subsection   (e), this subsection and Subsection (e) expire.          SECTION 26.  Section 837.102(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  A retiree who resumes service as a judicial officer   other than by assignment described in Section 837.101 may not   rejoin or receive credit in the retirement system for the resumed   service, except [unless an election is made] as provided by Section   837.103.          SECTION 27.  Section 837.103, Government Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsections (b-1),   (b-2), (c-1), and (c-2) to read as follows:          (b)  Notwithstanding Sections 837.001(c) and 837.002(2) and   subject to the requirements of this section [Subsection (d)], a   retiree who resumes full-time service as a judicial officer other   than by assignment described in Section 837.101 [described by   Section 837.102(a)] may elect to rejoin the retirement system as a   member [and receive service credit in the system for resuming   service as a judicial officer] if, before taking the oath of office,   the retiree has been separated from judicial service for at least   six full consecutive months.          (b-1)  The retiree shall provide notice of an [the] election   to rejoin the retirement system under this section:                (1)  not later than the 60th day after the date the   retiree takes the oath of office; and                (2)  in the form and manner prescribed by the system.          (b-2)  A person who rejoins the retirement system under this   section shall resume making member contributions at the rate of 9.5   percent of the person's state compensation.          (c)  For a person who rejoins the retirement system [makes an   election] under this section and completes at least 24 months of   resumed judicial service, on the person's subsequent retirement   from resumed service [the resumption of annuity payments that have   been suspended under Section 837.102], the retirement system shall   recompute the annuity selected at the time of the person's original   retirement to reflect:                (1)  the highest annual state salary earned by the   person while holding a judicial office included within the   membership of the retirement system; and                (2)  [to include] the [person's] additional service   credit established during the person's period of resumed service   [membership under this section].          (c-1)  For a person who rejoins the retirement system under   this section but who does not complete at least 24 months of resumed   service, on the person's subsequent retirement from resumed   service, the retirement system shall:                (1)  resume annuity payments suspended under Section   837.102; and                (2)  issue the person a refund of the person's   accumulated member contributions made during the person's period of   resumed service.          (c-2)  If, at the time of the person's original retirement, a    [the] person described by Subsection (c) or (c-1) selected an   optional retirement annuity payable under Section 839.103(a)(3) or   (4), the retirement system shall reduce the number of months of   payments by the number of months for which the annuity was paid   before the person resumed service.          SECTION 28.  Section 840.1025(b), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (b)  A member who elects to make contributions under   Subsection (a) shall contribute 9.5 [six] percent of the member's   state compensation for each payroll period in the manner provided   by Sections 840.102(b)-(f).          SECTION 29.  Section 840.1027(b), Government Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (b)  A member who elects to make contributions under   Subsection (a) shall contribute 9.5 [six] percent of the member's   state compensation for each payroll period in the manner provided   by Sections 840.102(b)-(f).          SECTION 30.  Section 837.103(e), Government Code, is   repealed.          SECTION 31.  Section 23.303, Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to a motion for summary judgment filed on or   after the effective date of this Act. A motion for summary judgment   filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law   in effect on the date the motion was filed, and that law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 32.  Not later than March 1, 2026, the Texas Supreme   Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals shall adopt rules   necessary to implement Section 22.302(a), Government Code, as   amended by this Act, and Section 23.303, Government Code, as added   by this Act.          SECTION 33.  As soon as practicable after September 1, 2025,   the State Commission on Judicial Conduct shall adopt rules to   implement Section 33.001(b), Government Code, as amended by this   Act.          SECTION 34.  Sections 33.001(b) and 665.052(b), Government   Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to an allegation of   judicial misconduct received by the State Commission on Judicial   Conduct on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of whether the   conduct or act that is the subject of the allegation occurred or was   committed before, on, or after September 1, 2025.          SECTION 35.  Section 33.02111, Government Code, as added by   this Act, and Section 33.023, Government Code, as amended by this   Act, apply only to a complaint filed with the State Commission on   Judicial Conduct on or after September 1, 2025.          SECTION 36.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Office of Court Administration of the Texas   Judicial System shall:                (1)  prescribe procedures as required by Section   23.303(c), Government Code, as added by this Act; and                (2)  establish the judicial directory required by   Section 33.041, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 37.  As soon as practicable after September 1, 2025,   the Texas Supreme Court shall adopt rules for purposes of Section   72.0396, Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 38.  A former or retired judge on a list maintained   by a presiding judge under Section 74.055(a), Government Code, who   is ineligible to be named on the list under Section 74.055(c),   Government Code, as amended by this Act, shall be struck from the   list on September 1, 2025, and may not be assigned to any court on or   after September 1, 2025.          SECTION 39.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c) of   this section, Sections 837.102 and 837.103, Government Code, as   amended by this Act, apply only to:                (1)  a former retiree of the Judicial Retirement System   of Texas Plan Two who, on the effective date of this Act, holds a   judicial office and has resumed membership in the retirement   system; or                (2)  a retiree who, on or after the effective date of   this Act, resumes service as a judicial officer holding a judicial   office included in the membership of the retirement system.          (b)  A person described by Subsection (a)(1) of this section   may purchase service credit for resumed judicial service performed   before the effective date of this Act, including service performed   before June 18, 2023, by depositing with the Judicial Retirement   System of Texas Plan Two, for each month of service credit, member   contributions calculated by multiplying 9.5 percent by the person's   monthly judicial state salary on the effective date of this Act.   Not later than September 1, 2027, the person must purchase service   credit under this subsection and make the required deposits.          (c)  Section 837.103(b-1)(1), Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies only to an election to rejoin the Judicial   Retirement System of Texas Plan Two under Section 837.103,   Government Code, made on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 40.  (a) Sections 4, 9, 13, and 14 of this Act apply   only to a sanction issued by the State Commission on Judicial   Conduct on or after January 1, 2026.          (b)  Sections 4, 9, 13, and 14 of this Act take effect January   1, 2026, but only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the   89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, regarding the membership   of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and the authority of the   commission and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction   judges and justices for judicial misconduct is approved by the   voters. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, Sections   4, 9, 13, and 14 of this Act have no effect.          SECTION 41.  Section 30 of this Act takes effect immediately   if this Act receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected   to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas   Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for   immediate effect, Section 30 of this Act has no effect.          SECTION 42.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.