SB 293 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

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.

SB 293 updates Texas judicial oversight by requiring public notice of certain judicial reprimands and clarifying misconduct standards. It directly affects judges (including retired judges), the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and the public by mandating transparency in disciplinary actions. Key provisions include defining "official misconduct" to cover failures to meet court deadlines, violations of judicial conduct rules, and incompetence, while requiring the Commission to maintain public complaint files. The bill also authorizes administrative penalties for misconduct but does not change judicial compensation or retirement benefits. This law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, takes effect January 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Nov 12, 2024 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 7 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas judicial conduct laws to modernize definitions, improve complaint handling timelines, and enhance transparency. Key changes include adding a definition for 'official misconduct,' requiring written notice to judges before full investigations, and establishing new reporting requirements for judicial transparency information.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of judicial oversight by adding new procedural requirements for complaints and transparency reporting, while maintaining the core authority of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'official misconduct' referencing Article 3.04 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to clarify disciplinary grounds.

TIMELINE

Extended investigation timelines from 90 to 120 days for some complaints and added a 240-day maximum extension period for complex cases.

REQUIREMENT

Requires commission staff to provide written notice to judges before commencing full investigations and to notify judges of investigation commencement within seven business days.

Mandates quarterly reporting to the Office of Court Administration on complaint investigation compliance and annual public reporting on court compliance.

Allows written notice to judges via email through the establishment of a judicial directory containing contact information.

TRANSPARENCY

Requires district court judges to submit biannual reports on hours spent on judicial duties, including case-related work, administrative tasks, and continuing education.

ENFORCEMENT

Added notification requirements for public reprimands sent to governors, legislators, and judicial officials to improve accountability.

Floor votes · House May 26, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
83
Key actions
23
Committee
14
Amendments
9
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
Jun 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
Jun 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
House adopts conference committee report
lower
Jun 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate adopts conference committee report
upper
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
House grants request for conference committee
lower
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate requests conference committee-reported
lower
Jun 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate requests conference committee
upper
May 31, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 30, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 30, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 26, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (139-1-4)
house
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Mar 13, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Mar 12, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Finance
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 4 co-sponsors

Sponsors