Bill Text: TX SB221 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the disciplinary power of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to issue private reprimands.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [SB221 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-SB221-Introduced.html

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89R374 TSS-D
By: West S.B. No. 221

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the disciplinary power of the State Commission on
Judicial Conduct to issue private reprimands.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 33.001(a)(10), Government Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(10) "Sanction" means an order issued by the
commission under Section 1-a(8), Article V, Texas Constitution,
providing for a [private or] public admonition, warning, or
reprimand or requiring that a person obtain additional training or
education.
SECTION 2. Section 33.0212(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) Not later than the 90th day following the date
commission staff files with the commission the report required by
Subsection (a), the commission shall determine any action to be
taken regarding the complaint, including:
(1) a public sanction;
(2) [a private sanction;
[(3)] a suspension;
(3) [(4)] an order of education;
(4) [(5)] an acceptance of resignation in lieu of
discipline;
(5) [(6)] a dismissal; or
(6) [(7)] an initiation of formal proceedings.
SECTION 3. Section 33.032(d), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(d) The disciplinary record of a judge [, including any
private sanctions,] is admissible in a subsequent proceeding before
the commission, a special master, a special court of review, or a
review tribunal.
SECTION 4. Section 33.033(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The communication shall inform the complainant that:
(1) the case has been dismissed;
(2) an [a private sanction or] order of additional
education has been issued by the commission;
(3) a public sanction has been issued by the
commission;
(4) formal proceedings have been instituted; or
(5) a judge has resigned from judicial office in lieu
of disciplinary action by the commission.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
a sanction issued by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct on or
after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026, but only
if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2025, regarding the disciplinary powers of the
State Commission on Judicial Conduct is approved by the voters. If
that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no
effect.