By Nixon H.J.R. No. 71
74R5178 MWV-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment changing the requirements for
1-2 persons serving as district judges.
1-3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 7, Article V, Texas Constitution, is
1-5 amended to read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 7. (a) The State shall be divided into judicial
1-7 districts, with each district having one or more Judges as may be
1-8 provided by law or by this Constitution.
1-9 (b) Except as provided by Subsection (f) of this section,
1-10 each <Each> district judge shall be elected by the qualified voters
1-11 at a General Election and shall be a citizen of the United States
1-12 and of this State, who is licensed to practice law in this State,
1-13 who has been licensed to practice law in one or more states,
1-14 districts, or territories of the United States for a total of ten
1-15 (10) years before taking office, who <and> has been a practicing
1-16 lawyer or a Judge <of a Court in this State>, or both combined, for
1-17 ten (10) <four (4)> years before taking office <next preceding his
1-18 election>, who has resided in this State for one (1) year before
1-19 taking office <the district in which he was elected for two (2)
1-20 years next preceding his election>, and who shall reside in the
1-21 <his> district during the judge's <his> term of office and hold
1-22 <his> office for the period of four (4) years, and who shall
1-23 receive for the judge's <his> services an annual salary to be fixed
1-24 by the Legislature.
2-1 (c) The Court shall conduct its proceedings at the county
2-2 seat of the county in which the case is pending, except as
2-3 otherwise provided by law.
2-4 (d) The district judge <He> shall hold the regular terms of
2-5 <his> Court at the County Seat of each County in the <his> district
2-6 in such manner as may be prescribed by law. The Legislature shall
2-7 have power by General or Special Laws to make such provisions
2-8 concerning the terms or sessions of each Court as it may deem
2-9 necessary.
2-10 (e) The Legislature shall also provide for the holding of
2-11 District Court when the Judge thereof is absent, or is from any
2-12 cause disabled or disqualified from presiding.
2-13 (f) A person serving in the office of district judge on
2-14 January 1, 1996, to be eligible to serve as a district judge, must
2-15 be elected by the qualified voters at a General Election, be a
2-16 citizen of the United States and of this State, be licensed to
2-17 practice law in this State, have been a practicing lawyer or a
2-18 Judge of a Court in this State, or both combined, for four (4)
2-19 years next preceding the judge's election, have resided in the
2-20 district in which elected for two (2) years next preceding
2-21 election, and reside in the district during the judge's term of
2-22 office.
2-23 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-24 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7,
2-25 1995. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against
2-26 the following proposition: "The constitutional amendment to
2-27 require that judges of the district courts have practiced law for
3-1 10 years before taking office and have resided in the district from
3-2 which elected for one year before taking office."