BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.J.R. 36

79R9667 T                                                                                                                      By: Lindsay

Jurisprudence

3/28/2005

As Filed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct (commission) is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of judicial misconduct.  The present eleven members consist of five judges representing all levels of the judiciary, four public members, and two attorneys.  A constitutional county judge is currently not a member of the commission.

S.J.R. 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to add a constitutional county court judge to the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subsection (2), Section 1-a, Article V, Texas Constitution, to add one judge of a constitutional county court to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, thereby increasing the membership from eleven to twelve.

SECTION 2.  Requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2005.  Requires the ballot to printed to permit voting for or against the specific proposition.