BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1439 81R3949 CAE-F By: Watson Jurisprudence 3/30/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law authorizes the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) to reimburse some expenses, such as those of its members, special masters, and employees; it is silent as to reimbursement of the necessary expenses of special counsel for SCJC or other persons appointed to assist SCJC in performing its duties. As proposed, S.B. 1439 entitles a member or employee of SCJC, special counsel, or any other person appointed by SCJC to assist SCJC in performing its duties, or a special master to necessary expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the performance of official duties. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 33.004, Government Code, to read as follows: Sec. 33.004. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF COMMISSION MEMBERS, SPECIAL MASTERS, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES. SECTION 2. Amends Section 33.004(d), Government Code, to entitle a member or employee of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC), special counsel, or any other person appointed by SCJC to assist SCJC in performing the duties of SCJC, or a special master to necessary expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the performance of official duties. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009. BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1439 81R3949 CAE-F By: Watson Jurisprudence 3/30/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law authorizes the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) to reimburse some expenses, such as those of its members, special masters, and employees; it is silent as to reimbursement of the necessary expenses of special counsel for SCJC or other persons appointed to assist SCJC in performing its duties. As proposed, S.B. 1439 entitles a member or employee of SCJC, special counsel, or any other person appointed by SCJC to assist SCJC in performing its duties, or a special master to necessary expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the performance of official duties. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 33.004, Government Code, to read as follows: Sec. 33.004. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF COMMISSION MEMBERS, SPECIAL MASTERS, AND OTHER EMPLOYEES. SECTION 2. Amends Section 33.004(d), Government Code, to entitle a member or employee of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC), special counsel, or any other person appointed by SCJC to assist SCJC in performing the duties of SCJC, or a special master to necessary expenses for travel, board, and lodging incurred in the performance of official duties. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.