79R6514 QS-D

By:  Nixon                                                        H.B. No. 1617


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the supplemental compensation of district judges and justices of the courts of appeals. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 31.001, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 31.001. AUTHORITY FOR COUNTY PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION. The commissioners courts in the counties of each of the 14 courts of appeals districts may pay [an amount not to exceed $15,000 a year to] each of the justices of the courts of appeals residing within the court of appeals district that includes those counties an annual salary[. The payment is] for all judicial and administrative services performed by the justices. SECTION 2. The heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. GENERAL [MISCELLANEOUS] PROVISIONS
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 32.301 to read as follows: Sec. 32.301. SUPPLEMENTAL SALARY. (a) The commissioners court of each county may budget for and pay the judges of the district courts having jurisdiction in that county an annual salary in an amount set by the commissioners court for judicial and administrative services. (b) The salary shall be paid in equal monthly installments from the county general fund or officers' salary fund. (c) The salary is in addition to the salary paid by the state. SECTION 4. Section 659.012(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Notwithstanding Section 659.011: (1) a justice of the supreme court is entitled to an annual salary from the state that is at least $102,463; (2) a justice of a court of appeals other than the chief justice is entitled to an annual salary from the state that is five percent less than the salary provided by the General Appropriations Act for a justice of the supreme court[, except that the combined salary of a justice of the court of appeals other than the chief justice from all state and county sources may not exceed the amount that is $1,000 less than the salary provided for a justice of the supreme court]; (3) the chief justice of a court of appeals is entitled to an annual salary from the state that is $2,500 more than the salary provided for the other justices of the court of appeals[, except that the combined salary of the chief justice of a court of appeals may not exceed the amount that is $500 less than the salary provided for a justice of the supreme court]; and (4) a judge of a district court is entitled to an annual salary from the state that is 10 percent less than the salary provided in the General Appropriations Act for a justice of the supreme court[, except that unless otherwise provided by law, the combined salary of a district judge from state and county sources may not exceed the amount that is $2,000 less than the salary provided for a justice of the supreme court]. SECTION 5. The following are repealed: (1) the following provisions of the Government Code: (A) Sections 31.003 and 659.012(b) and (e); and (B) Subchapter A, Chapter 32; (2) Section 4, Chapter 62, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003; (3) Section 2, Chapter 100, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003; and (4) Sections 2 and 4, Chapter 675, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.