85R2227 SRS-D     By: Metcalf H.B. No. 431       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a temporary justice of the peace.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 27.055(b), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (b)  If a justice is temporarily unable to perform official   duties because of absence, recusal, illness, injury, or other   disability, the county judge, on the judge's own motion or at the   request of the justice of the peace, may appoint a qualified person   to serve as temporary justice for the duration of the absence of the   justice of the peace [disability].  The commissioners court shall   compensate the temporary justice by the day, week, or month in an   amount equal to the compensation of the regular justice. A   temporary justice has all the rights and powers of the justice of   the peace while serving in that capacity but may not make personnel   decisions about, or significant changes in, the justice of the   peace's office.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it 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, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.