88R9883 TSS-D By: Huffman S.B. No. 1173 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the appointment of a special presiding judge for certain Harris County courts. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 75.403, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (e-1) to read as follows: (e) If the presiding [a] judge is absent or for any reason unable to preside, the presiding judge may appoint a special judge to serve as presiding judge from a list maintained by the presiding judge of each judge who: (1) is currently serving a term to which the judge was elected on a court with criminal jurisdiction in Harris County; and (2) has agreed to be subject to appointment under this subsection. (e-1) The qualifications, duties, and powers of a special judge appointed under Subsection (e) are the same as for the regular presiding judge. [The provisions of Articles 30.04, 30.05, and 30.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1965, relating to the oath, compensation, and record of appointment of certain special judges apply to the appointment of a special judge under this subsection.] SECTION 2. Section 25.1033(i), Government Code, is repealed. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.