Texas House Bill HJR71

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing certain judges to become a candidate for another office without automatically resigning from the office already held.

Impact

If enacted, HJR71 would modify Section 65(a) of Article XVI of the Texas Constitution, which currently mandates that judges must resign from their office if they seek another position. The proposed amendment would create more flexibility for judges and could lead to increased representation and diversity in other elected offices as judges might be more inclined to run for positions they are passionate about without the risk of losing their current job. This change could have a significant impact on the overall structure of political candidacy in Texas, particularly for the judiciary.

Summary

HJR71 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow certain judges to run for another office without being required to resign from their current position. This change aims to enhance the career mobility of judges by preventing automatic resignation when they choose to pursue other political opportunities. The measure specifically addresses the eligibility of various judicial offices and aims to increase participation in the political process by allowing these officials to maintain their positions while campaigning for new roles.

Contention

While the resolution appears to serve the interests of judicial officers, it could raise concerns about the separation of powers and the potential for conflicts of interest. Critics may argue that allowing judges to campaign for other positions while holding their current office could affect their impartiality and decision-making in judicial proceedings. Additionally, this amendment may provoke discussions around the integrity of the judicial system, as it blurs the lines between the judicial and political realms.