BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.C.R. 27 89R16676 KSM-D By: Eckhardt Administration 4/4/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.C.R. 27 authorizes the burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery. State law stipulates in Section 2165.256 (State Cemetery and Other Burial Grounds), Government Code, that a person specified in a concurrent resolution adopted by the legislature is eligible for burial in the State Cemetery if the State Cemetery Committee finds that the person has made a significant contribution to Texas history and, based on that finding, approves the person's burial. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law, Guy Herman was first elected as Travis County probate judge in 1985. He has demonstrated exceptional wisdom and compassion in the adjudication of sensitive matters relating to wills and estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments, and as the county population has doubled, he has overseen the growth of the court, training and guiding associate judges and mentoring many law clerks who have gone on to success in probate practices. During his long tenure as presiding judge for the Statutory Probate Judges of Texas, Judge Herman has rendered exceptional service to the legal community and the legislature, recommending beneficial changes to state laws and collaborating effectively on legislative matters with the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law sections of the State Bar of Texas. In 1993, he was elected president of the Texas College of Probate Judges, and he has served on numerous statewide and Supreme Court task forces over the years. From the very beginning of his career on the bench, Judge Herman has worked to protect vulnerable populations. His efforts have been crucial in preserving optimal autonomy and independence for individuals with mental illness and in the widespread adoption of warrantless detention rather than jailing defendants prior to mental health treatment. Moreover, he played a key role in the development of the county's hospital district, which provides primary, specialty, behavioral, and dental health care to residents with insufficient resources. In recent years, he has been instrumental in the creation of the Assisted Outpatient Services approach to meet mental health needs of defendants. Travis County Integral Care recognized his outstanding record of service by naming its short-term residential psychiatric treatment facility the Judge Guy Herman Center for Mental Health Crisis Care in his honor. In light of his noteworthy contributions to the Lone Star State, it is fitting that the Honorable Guy Herman be allowed to designate the State Cemetery as his final resting place. RESOLVED That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby authorize the burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery, provided that his application for assignment of burial space is approved by the State Cemetery Committee as required by law.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.C.R. 27
89R16676 KSM-D By: Eckhardt
Administration
4/4/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.C.R. 27
89R16676 KSM-D
By: Eckhardt
Administration
4/4/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.C.R. 27 authorizes the burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery.
State law stipulates in Section 2165.256 (State Cemetery and Other Burial Grounds), Government Code, that a person specified in a concurrent resolution adopted by the legislature is eligible for burial in the State Cemetery if the State Cemetery Committee finds that the person has made a significant contribution to Texas history and, based on that finding, approves the person's burial.
A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law, Guy Herman was first elected as Travis County probate judge in 1985. He has demonstrated exceptional wisdom and compassion in the adjudication of sensitive matters relating to wills and estates, guardianships, and mental health commitments, and as the county population has doubled, he has overseen the growth of the court, training and guiding associate judges and mentoring many law clerks who have gone on to success in probate practices.
During his long tenure as presiding judge for the Statutory Probate Judges of Texas, Judge Herman has rendered exceptional service to the legal community and the legislature, recommending beneficial changes to state laws and collaborating effectively on legislative matters with the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law sections of the State Bar of Texas. In 1993, he was elected president of the Texas College of Probate Judges, and he has served on numerous statewide and Supreme Court task forces over the years.
From the very beginning of his career on the bench, Judge Herman has worked to protect vulnerable populations. His efforts have been crucial in preserving optimal autonomy and independence for individuals with mental illness and in the widespread adoption of warrantless detention rather than jailing defendants prior to mental health treatment. Moreover, he played a key role in the development of the county's hospital district, which provides primary, specialty, behavioral, and dental health care to residents with insufficient resources. In recent years, he has been instrumental in the creation of the Assisted Outpatient Services approach to meet mental health needs of defendants. Travis County Integral Care recognized his outstanding record of service by naming its short-term residential psychiatric treatment facility the Judge Guy Herman Center for Mental Health Crisis Care in his honor.
In light of his noteworthy contributions to the Lone Star State, it is fitting that the Honorable Guy Herman be allowed to designate the State Cemetery as his final resting place.
RESOLVED
That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby authorize the burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery, provided that his application for assignment of burial space is approved by the State Cemetery Committee as required by law.