H.B. No. 2967
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a performance bond required of a statutory probate
  court judge.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 25, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 25.00231 to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.00231. BOND; INSURANCE. (a) This section controls
  over a specific provision for a particular court or county that
  attempts to create a requirement for a bond or insurance that
  conflicts with this section.
         (b)  Before beginning the duties of office, a judge of a
  statutory probate court must execute a bond that is:
               (1)  payable to the county treasurer or other person
  performing the duties of county treasurer;
               (2)  in the amount of $500,000;
               (3)  conditioned on the faithful performance of the
  duties of the office; and
               (4)  approved by the commissioners court.
         (c)  In lieu of the bond required by Subsection (b), a county
  may elect to obtain insurance in the amount required by Subsection
  (b) against losses caused by the statutory probate court judge's
  gross negligence in performing the duties of office.
         (d)  The commissioners court of a county shall pay the
  premium for the bond or insurance required by this section out of
  the general funds of the county.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 25.0173(e) and 25.1034(f), Government
  Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 3.  A judge of a statutory probate court who is
  serving on the effective date of this Act shall comply with the
  requirements of Section 25.00231, Government Code, as added by this
  Act, not later than November 1, 2007.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect October 1, 2007.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2967 was passed by the House on April
  13, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 2967 on May 16, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2967 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 14, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays
  0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor