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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the disciplinary |
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powers of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1-a(8), Article V, Texas Constitution, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(8) After such investigation as it deems necessary, |
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the Commission may in its discretion issue a [private or] public |
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admonition, warning, reprimand, or requirement that the person |
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obtain additional training or education, or if the Commission |
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determines that the situation merits such action, it may institute |
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formal proceedings and order a formal hearing to be held before it |
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concerning a person holding an office or position specified in |
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Subsection (6) of this Section, or it may in its discretion request |
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the Supreme Court to appoint an active or retired District Judge or |
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Justice of a Court of Appeals, or retired Judge or Justice of the |
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Court of Criminal Appeals or the Supreme Court, as a Master to hear |
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and take evidence in the matter, and to report thereon to the |
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Commission. The Master shall have all the power of a District |
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Judge in the enforcement of orders pertaining to witnesses, |
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evidence, and procedure. If, after formal hearing, or after |
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considering the record and report of a Master, the Commission finds |
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good cause therefor, it shall issue an order of public admonition, |
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warning, reprimand, censure, or requirement that the person holding |
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an office or position specified in Subsection (6) of this Section |
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obtain additional training or education, or it shall recommend to a |
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review tribunal the removal or retirement, as the case may be, of |
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the person and shall thereupon file with the tribunal the entire |
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record before the Commission. |
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SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to |
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the Texas Constitution: |
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TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies |
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to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2025, regarding the disciplinary powers of the |
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State Commission on Judicial Conduct. |
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(b) The amendment to Section 1-a(8), Article V, of this |
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constitution takes effect January 1, 2026. |
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(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2028. |
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SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025. |
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The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding the |
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disciplinary powers of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct." |