Texas House Bill HB62

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

• Filed: 11/12/12

Caption

Relating to a justice or judge having an interest in a business entity that owns, manages, or operates a private correctional or rehabilitation facility.

Impact

If enacted, HB 62 would amend the Government Code by introducing Section 21.010, which outlines the conditions under which a justice or judge would be deemed to have a significant interest in a business entity. Specifically, the bill defines a significant interest as owning at least 10% or having a financial stake valued at $15,000 or more. It also establishes requirements for judges to report such interests to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, thereby promoting transparency in judicial financial disclosures.

Summary

House Bill 62 is designed to address potential conflicts of interest for judges and justices in Texas by prohibiting them from having significant financial interests in businesses that own, manage, or operate private correctional or rehabilitation facilities. This bill aims to enhance the integrity of the judicial system by ensuring that judges are not financially tied to entities that may be affected by their rulings. The intent is to eliminate any appearance of impropriety that could undermine public trust in the judicial process.

Contention

While HB 62 received significant bipartisan support when it was passed in the House with a unanimous vote of 136 to 0, there may still be underlying concerns regarding the enforcement of such provisions and how they would be monitored. Some may question whether the measures proposed are sufficient to deter judges from engaging with private facilities or whether they effectively address all potential conflicts of interest that could arise in the judicial system. Nevertheless, the bill is a step towards promoting accountability and ethical standards within the judiciary.