By Gallego                                            H.J.R. No. 17
         77R166 KLA-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment creating a vacancy in a
 1-2     judicial office if a judge or justice becomes a candidate for a
 1-3     public elective office other than a judicial office.
 1-4           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Article V, Texas Constitution, is amended by
 1-6     adding Section 28a to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 28a.  A person holding a judicial office who announces
 1-8     the person's candidacy or otherwise becomes a candidate in any
 1-9     general, special, or primary election for any office of profit or
1-10     trust under the laws of this state or the United States, other than
1-11     the office held or another judicial office, vacates the judicial
1-12     office on the date of the announcement or candidacy.  A person may
1-13     continue to hold a judicial office if the person becomes a
1-14     candidate for or serves as a delegate in a state constitutional
1-15     convention.  A vacancy created under this section is filled in the
1-16     same manner as other vacancies in the judicial office.
1-17           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
1-18     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.
1-19     The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against
1-20     the proposition: "The constitutional amendment creating a vacancy
1-21     in a judicial office if a judge or justice becomes a candidate for
1-22     a public elective office other than a judicial office."