| 1 | 1 | | By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 898 |
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| 2 | 2 | | |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 5 | 5 | | AN ACT |
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| 6 | 6 | | relating to the procedures of the State Commission on Judicial |
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| 7 | 7 | | Conduct. |
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| 8 | 8 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 9 | 9 | | SECTION 1. Section 33.0211(b), Government Code, is amended |
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| 10 | 10 | | to read as follows: |
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| 11 | 11 | | (b) The commission, [at least quarterly] until final |
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| 12 | 12 | | disposition of the complaint, shall notify the person filing the |
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| 13 | 13 | | complaint of any change in the status of the complaint |
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| 14 | 14 | | investigation unless the notice would jeopardize an undercover |
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| 15 | 15 | | investigation. |
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| 16 | 16 | | SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 33, Government Code, is |
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| 17 | 17 | | amended by adding Sections 33.02114, 33.02115, and 33.02116 to read |
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| 18 | 18 | | as follows: |
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| 19 | 19 | | Sec. 33.02114. COMPLAINT INFORMATION ON COMMISSION |
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| 20 | 20 | | WEBSITE. The commission shall maintain on the commission's |
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| 21 | 21 | | Internet website a statement that a complainant is not required to |
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| 22 | 22 | | maintain confidentiality of the complaint filed by the complainant. |
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| 23 | 23 | | Sec. 33.02115. SANCTION GUIDELINES. The commission shall |
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| 24 | 24 | | establish guidelines for the imposition of a sanction to ensure |
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| 25 | 25 | | each sanction imposed is proportional to the judicial misconduct. |
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| 26 | 26 | | Sec. 33.02116. COMPLAINT SCHEDULE. The commission shall |
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| 27 | 27 | | establish a schedule outlining times for commission action on a |
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| 28 | 28 | | complaint. The schedule must allow the executive director to |
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| 29 | 29 | | approve an extension of time for complaint disposition due to |
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| 30 | 30 | | extenuating circumstances, including a need for further |
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| 31 | 31 | | investigation. |
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| 32 | 32 | | SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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