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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment changing the eligibility |
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requirements for appellate judicial offices. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 2(b), Article V, Texas Constitution, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) No person shall be eligible to serve in the office of |
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Chief Justice or Justice of the Supreme Court unless the person is |
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licensed to practice law in the State of Texas [this state] and is, |
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at the time of election, a citizen of the United States and of the |
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State of Texas [this state], and has attained the age of thirty-five |
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years, and has been a practicing lawyer licensed in the State of |
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Texas for at least ten consecutive years, or has been a practicing |
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lawyer licensed in the State of Texas and judge of a state court or |
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county court established by the Legislature by statute for a |
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combined total of [court of record together] at least ten |
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consecutive years, during which time the person's license to |
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practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a |
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probated suspension. |
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SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to |
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the Texas Constitution: |
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TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies |
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to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 85th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2017, changing the eligibility requirements for a |
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justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal |
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appeals, and a justice of a court of appeals. |
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(b) The amendment to Section 2(b), Article V, of this |
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constitution takes effect January 1, 2018, and applies only to a |
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chief justice or other justice of the supreme court, presiding |
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judge or other judge of the court of criminal appeals, or chief |
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justice or other justice of a court of appeals who is elected for a |
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term that begins on or after that date, or who is appointed on or |
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after that date. |
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(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2032. |
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SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2017. |
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The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment changing the |
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eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, judge |
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of the court of criminal appeals, and justice of a court of |
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appeals." |