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TX SJR27
Joint Resolution
Status
6/2/2025
Primary Sponsor
Joan Huffman
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AI Summary
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Restructures the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to consist of 13 members: 6 judges/justices appointed by the Supreme Court (with 2 required to be trial court judges) and 7 citizens at least 35 years old appointed by the Governor, all requiring Senate confirmation
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Eliminates the previous requirement for State Bar attorney members and removes positions for specific court types (Justice of the Peace, Municipal Court, County Court at Law judges) from the commission
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Expands the review tribunal's sanctioning authority to include suspension without pay for a specified period, and requires (rather than permits) the tribunal to prohibit removed or involuntarily retired judges from holding future judicial office
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Allows the Commission to issue private sanctions only once per judge for non-criminal complaints, with subsequent sanctions required to be public admonitions, warnings, reprimands, or mandatory training orders
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Takes effect January 1, 2026, with current commissioners' terms expiring July 1, 2026, and will be submitted to voters at the November 4, 2025 election
Legislative Description
Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.
Courts
Last Action
Filed with the Secretary of State
6/2/2025