Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HB5097

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the appointment of a retired judge as a visiting judge in certain counties.

Impact

If passed, HB 5097 would impact judicial operations in areas where the demand for judicial services exceeds the capacity of existing judges. By enabling the appointment of retired judges, counties would have greater flexibility in managing their court schedules and could potentially reduce delays in case processing. This change is seen as a practical solution to address disparities in judicial resources across different regions within the state.

Summary

House Bill 5097 seeks to address the appointment of retired judges as visiting judges in certain counties. This legislation aims to streamline the judicial process by allowing counties with a shortage of judges to appoint retired judges to fulfill necessary court duties. Supporters of this bill argue that this will help alleviate the backlog of cases in overburdened counties, thereby improving the efficiency of the judicial system.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 5097 appears to be generally positive among legislators and legal experts who recognize the potential benefits of utilizing retired judges. However, some concerns were raised about ensuring that appointed retired judges meet specific qualifications to maintain the integrity of the judicial process. Overall, the conversation around the bill leans towards supporting measures that enhance judicial efficiency.

Contention

While HB 5097 is primarily aimed at solving logistical issues within the judicial system, some opponents may argue that appointing retired judges could overlook the importance of having active judges who are more attuned to current legal practices and principles. This introduces a nuanced debate about the balance between leveraging experienced judges versus ensuring that the current judiciary is adequately supported and updated on contemporary legal challenges.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

  • Chapter 26. Constitutional County Courts
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB103

Relating to the appointment of a retired or former judge as a visiting judge in certain counties.

TX HB1424

Relating to the appointment of a retired judge or former judge as a visiting judge in certain courts.

TX SB2491

Relating to qualifications for a retired judge's appointment as a visiting judge to a constitutional county court.

TX HB520

Relating to the assignment of certain judges as a visiting judge.

TX HB3115

Relating to the eligibility of certain retired or former district court judges for assignment as a visiting judge.

TX HB3966

Relating to the eligibility of certain retired or former district court judges for assignment as a visiting judge.

TX HB4278

Relating to the assignment as a visiting judge of certain retired and former constitutional county court judges and justices of the peace.

TX SB1222

Relating to the appointment of a former or retired justice of an appellate court as a visiting judge of a statutory probate court.

TX HB1664

Relating to the eligibility of certain retired or former district court judges for assignment as a visiting judge.

TX SB2127

Relating to the assignment of certain retired and former justices and judges.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.