89R16950 BCH-F By: Holt H.B. No. 4388 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to judicial authority and duties. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 21.001, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows: (d) A person holding judicial office may not abandon, abdicate, or otherwise relinquish the person's judicial authority or duties vested in the office by the Texas Constitution, a state statute, or the Code of Judicial Conduct. (e) A person holding judicial office is subject to Section 1-a, Article V, Texas Constitution, and the Code of Judicial Conduct regardless of whether the court the person serves has civil or criminal jurisdiction. SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 81, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 81.0292 to read as follows: Sec. 81.0292. PROHIBITED DELEGATION OF JUDICIAL AUTHORITY. A commissioners court of a county may not adopt or enforce an order, rule, or other measure that delegates the authority or duties vested in a judicial office except as specifically authorized by law. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.