TX SB1840

Establishes a 10-year statute of limitations for filing complaints against judges with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, requiring dismissal of complaints filed 10 or more years after the alleged misconduct occurred or was discovered, with exceptions for continuing patterns of misconduct or good cause

Eliminates private sanctions as a disciplinary option, making all commission sanctions (admonitions, warnings, reprimands, required training) public rather than allowing private discipline

Creates new procedures for handling complaints alleging judicial substance abuse or physical/mental incapacity, requiring preliminary investigation results within 30 days and mandatory appearance before the commission at its next regular meeting

Authorizes the commission to suspend judges with pay for up to 90 days while ordering physical or mental examinations, and to recommend suspension to the supreme court or enter voluntary indefinite suspension agreements if incapacity is confirmed

Provisions eliminating private sanctions take effect January 1, 2026, contingent on voter approval of a related constitutional amendment; statute of limitations and incapacity procedures take effect September 1, 2025