By Chisum H.B. No. 164
76R845 DB-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to public statements on political issues by candidates for
1-3 certain judicial offices.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 34.001(a), Government Code, is amended to
1-6 read as follows:
1-7 (a) Except as provided by Section 34.005, a [A] person who
1-8 has filed an application for a place on the ballot as provided by
1-9 the Election Code for a judicial office listed in Subsection (b) is
1-10 subject to Canon 7, Code of Judicial Conduct, and is subject to
1-11 sanctions as provided by this chapter.
1-12 SECTION 2. Chapter 34, Government Code, is amended by adding
1-13 Section 34.005 to read as follows:
1-14 Sec. 34.005. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF POLITICAL ISSUES.
1-15 (a) Notwithstanding the Code of Judicial Conduct, a candidate for
1-16 a judicial office listed in Section 34.001(b) may discuss that
1-17 candidate's general position on any political issue, except that
1-18 the candidate may not discuss a specific matter pending:
1-19 (1) before the court in which the candidate holds or
1-20 is seeking to hold office; or
1-21 (2) before a court from which an appeal may be had to
1-22 a court described by Subdivision (1).
1-23 (b) The supreme court may not amend or adopt rules in
1-24 conflict with Subsection (a).
2-1 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
2-2 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
2-3 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-4 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-5 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-6 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.