80R1846 KLA-D
 
  By: Hartnett H.B. No. 2967
 
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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;
             (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Code, are repealed.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.