Bill Text: TX SB387 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to bond requirements for certain judges.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-18 - Filed [SB387 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-SB387-Introduced.html

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89R4640 EAS-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 387

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to bond requirements for certain judges.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 25.0006(a-1) and (a-4), Government
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a-1) Before beginning the duties of the office, the judge
of a statutory county court must execute a bond that:
(1) is payable to the treasurer of the county;
(2) is in the amount set by the commissioners court of:
(A) subject to Paragraph (B), not less than
$1,000 nor more than $10,000; or
(B) for a judge presiding in the court over
guardianship proceedings, as defined by Section 1002.015, Estates
Code, or over probate proceedings, as defined by Section 22.029,
Estates Code, not less than $500,000[:
[(i) $100,000 for a court in a county with a
population of 125,000 or less; or
[(ii) $250,000 for a court in a county with
a population of more than 125,000]; and
(3) is conditioned that the judge will:
(A) faithfully perform all duties of office; and
(B) for a judge presiding in the court over
guardianship or probate proceedings, perform the duties required by
the Estates Code.
(a-4) This section does not apply to:
(1) [a judge of a statutory county court who does not
preside over guardianship proceedings, as defined by Section
1002.015, Estates Code;
[(2)] a judge of a statutory probate court who
executes a bond, obtains insurance, or self-insures pursuant to
Section 25.00231; or
(2) [(3)] a judge who presides over a county criminal
court.
SECTION 2. Section 26.001(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) Before beginning the duties of the office, the county
judge must execute a bond that:
(1) is payable to the treasurer of the county;
(2) is in the amount set by the commissioners court of:
(A) subject to Paragraph (B), not less than
$1,000 nor more than $10,000; or
(B) for a county judge presiding in the county
court over guardianship proceedings, as defined by Section
1002.015, Estates Code, or over probate proceedings, as defined by
Section 22.029, Estates Code, not less than $500,000[:
[(i) $100,000 for a court in a county with a
population of 125,000 or less; or
[(ii) $250,000 for a court in a county with
a population of more than 125,000]; and
(3) is conditioned that the judge will:
(A) faithfully perform all duties of office; and
(B) for a county judge presiding in the county
court over guardianship or probate proceedings, perform the duties
required by the Estates Code.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.