H.B. No. 103         AN ACT   relating to the appointment of a retired or former judge as a   visiting judge in certain counties.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 26.012, Government Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 26.012.  ASSIGNMENT OF VISITING JUDGE FOR PROBATE,   GUARDIANSHIP, AND MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS. (a) If the county judge   is absent, incapacitated, recused, or disqualified to act in a   probate, guardianship, or mental health matter, a visiting judge   shall be assigned in accordance with Section 25.0022(h).          (b)  Notwithstanding Section 25.0022(t)(4), a visiting judge   may be assigned under this section if the judge has served as an   active judge for at least 48 months in a statutory probate court.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 26, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 26.020 to read as follows:          Sec. 26.020.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "former   constitutional county judge" means a person who:                (1)  served as a judge for at least 96 months in a   constitutional county court; or                (2)  served as a judge for at least 48 months in a   constitutional county court and who is a licensed attorney in this   state.          SECTION 3.  Section 26.023(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The county judge may appoint a retired judge, former   constitutional county judge, or a constitutional county judge from   another county as a visiting judge when the county judge is absent   from the county or absent because of physical incapacity.          SECTION 4.  Section 26.024(a), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (a)  The county judge may appoint a retired judge, former   constitutional county judge, or a constitutional county judge from   another county as a visiting judge to share the bench if the county   judge finds that the dockets of the county court reflect a case load   that the county judge considers to be in excess of that which can be   disposed of properly in a manner consistent with the efficient   administration of justice.          SECTION 5.  Section 25.0022(t-1), Government Code, is   repealed.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 103 was passed by the House on May 4,   2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House                 I certify that H.B. No. 103 was passed by the Senate on May   19, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate       APPROVED:  _____________________                      Date                           _____________________                    Governor