BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2559

By: Vasut

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas law allows current and retired municipal court judges and judges of courts of records to administer oaths. While current justices of the peace are also allowed to administer oaths, retired justices of the peace are not. H.B. 2559 seeks to ensure that retired justices of the peace are treated the same as other retired judges by allowing them to administer oaths.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2559 amends the Government Code to authorize a retired justice of the peace to administer an oath in Texas and give a certificate of the fact.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.