Texas 89th Legislature
Courts--judges
5 high-impact bills require immediate attention. 13 bills have bipartisan support.
High-Impact Bills
5 bills require immediate attention
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.
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, record retention, youth diversion, court-ordered mental health services, the powers of the Texas Supreme Court, jurors, and the special prosecution unit; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
Relating to the protection of personal identifying information of certain individuals in the judicial system; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to personal bond offices, to the notification provided to a judge regarding tampering with an electronic monitoring device while released on bond or community supervision, and to the availability of certain information regarding a person required to submit to an electronic monitoring program or being supervised by a community supervision and corrections department.
Courts--judges Filing Activity
Compliance & Cost
Leading Authors
All Bills (25)
Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, record retention, youth diversion, court-ordered mental health services, the powers of the Texas Supreme Court, jurors, and the special prosecution unit; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, record retention, youth diversion, court-ordered mental health services, the powers of the Texas Supreme Court, jurors, and the special prosecution unit; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
Relating to the business court.
Relating to the business court.
Relating to the use of metal or body armor while committing certain offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the use of metal or body armor while committing certain offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.
Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.
Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.
Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain retired county court judges.
Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain retired county court judges.
Relating to the delegation of certain authority of a county judge in certain counties.
Relating to the delegation of certain authority of a county judge in certain counties.
Relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county judges.
Relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county judges.
Relating to the removal from office of certain officers of political subdivisions.
Relating to the removal from office of certain officers of political subdivisions.
Relating to the composition, duties, and personnel of the Moore County Juvenile Board.
Relating to the composition, duties, and personnel of the Moore County Juvenile Board.
Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.
Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.
Relating to the protection of personal identifying information of certain individuals in the judicial system; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the protection of personal identifying information of certain individuals in the judicial system; creating a criminal offense.
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.
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.
Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal.
Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal.
Relating to bond requirements for certain judges.
Relating to bond requirements for certain judges.
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.
Relating to qualifications, training, removal, and supervision of certain masters, magistrates, referees, associate judges, and hearing officers.
Relating to qualifications, training, removal, and supervision of certain masters, magistrates, referees, associate judges, and hearing officers.
Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain active and retired judicial officers.
Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain active and retired judicial officers.
Relating to personal bond offices, to the notification provided to a judge regarding tampering with an electronic monitoring device while released on bond or community supervision, and to the availability of certain information regarding a person required to submit to an electronic monitoring program or being supervised by a community supervision and corrections department.
Relating to personal bond offices, to the notification provided to a judge regarding tampering with an electronic monitoring device while released on bond or community supervision, and to the availability of certain information regarding a person required to submit to an electronic monitoring program or being supervised by a community supervision and corrections department.
Relating to a centers of excellence program developed by the Texas Judicial Council for certain justices and judges.
Relating to a centers of excellence program developed by the Texas Judicial Council for certain justices and judges.
Relating to status of certain documents or instruments purporting to convey title to or an interest in real property.
Relating to status of certain documents or instruments purporting to convey title to or an interest in real property.
Relating to the Judicial Retirement System Plan Two, including resuming service in the retirement system and contributions to the retirement system.
Relating to the Judicial Retirement System Plan Two, including resuming service in the retirement system and contributions to the retirement system.
Relating to the assignment of certain retired and former justices and judges.
Relating to the assignment of certain retired and former justices and judges.
Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to state and federal judges.
Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to state and federal judges.
Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.
Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.
Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.
Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many Texas laws on courts--judges passed in 2025?
- The Texas 89th Legislature enacted 25 laws related to courts--judges. These bills were authored by 16 different legislators and address various aspects of courts--judges policy in Texas.
- Did courts--judges bills originate in the Texas House or Senate?
- Courts--judges legislation from the 89th Legislature includes 14 Senate bills and 11 House bills. Both chambers contributed significant legislation on this topic.
- Which Texas legislators authored the most courts--judges bills?
- The leading authors of courts--judges legislation include Sen. Joan Huffman (R) with 6 bills, Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D) with 4 bills, Rep. Jeff Leach (R) with 2 bills. These lawmakers have demonstrated particular focus on courts--judges issues during the 89th Legislature.
- How urgent are the compliance requirements for courts--judges legislation?
- Among the 25 courts--judges bills enacted, 5 have critical compliance urgency and 4 have moderate urgency. Businesses should prioritize reviewing high-urgency bills for immediate compliance planning.
- What subjects are related to courts--judges in Texas law?
- Courts--judges legislation frequently overlaps with Courts, Courts--county & Statutory, Criminal Procedure. Bills often address multiple related policy areas, so reviewing these connected subjects may provide additional context.
- Is there bipartisan support for courts--judges legislation in Texas?
- Yes, 13 of the 25 courts--judges bills (52%) have bipartisan sponsorship, with both Republican and Democrat sponsors. This indicates areas of cross-party agreement on courts--judges policy.
- When do Texas courts--judges laws from the 89th Legislature take effect?
- Most Texas legislation takes effect September 1, 2025, unless otherwise specified. Some courts--judges bills may have immediate effective dates or delayed implementation schedules. Review individual bills for specific effective dates and compliance deadlines.
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