Relating to the payment of certain costs associated with certain assignments of a statutory probate court judge.

SB 302 requires statutory probate court judges assigned to hear contested matters to order estates and parties to reimburse counties for costs paid to the judge. Specifically, it mandates that judges direct the estate to cover county payments for the judge's compensation and expenses, as specified in Section 25.0022(o-1) of the Government Code. This applies to motions filed on or after September 1, 2025, for judges serving outside their home county, where counties currently pay $25 per day for such assignments. The bill shifts the financial responsibility from county general funds to the probate estate or involved parties. It directly affects counties, probate estates, and parties in contested probate cases.