88R1474 KFF-D
 
  By: Murr H.B. No. 251
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the payment of certain costs associated with certain
  assignments of a statutory probate court judge.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 352, Estates Code, is
  amended by adding Section 352.054 to read as follows:
         Sec. 352.054.  REIMBURSEMENT FOR CERTAIN COSTS FOR ASSIGNED
  JUDGE. A statutory probate court judge assigned to hear a contested
  matter on the motion under Section 32.003 of a party to the
  proceeding may order the estate to reimburse a county for any
  amounts the county paid as compensation and expenses in accordance
  with Section 25.0022(o-1), Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 25.0022, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (o-1) and amending Subsection (p) to read as
  follows:
         (o-1)  If a party to a probate proceeding files a motion for
  the assignment of a statutory probate court judge to hear a
  contested matter in the proceeding under Section 32.003, Estates
  Code, and the motion is granted, the assigned statutory probate
  court judge shall:
               (1)  to the extent possible, order that the county be
  reimbursed for any amounts the county paid as compensation and
  expenses under Subsections (o) and (p) from the estate under
  Section 352.054, Estates Code, and from the parties to the
  proceeding; and
               (2)  prescribe the amount and manner by which the
  compensation and expenses described by Subdivision (1) are to be
  equitably apportioned among the estate and parties, as applicable.
         (p)  In addition to all compensation and expenses authorized
  by this section and other law, a judge who is assigned to a court
  outside the county of the judge's residence is entitled to receive
  $25 for each day or fraction of a day served. Subject to Subsection
  (o-1), the [The] county in which the judge served shall pay the
  additional compensation from the county's general fund on
  certification by the presiding judge.
         SECTION 3.  Section 25.0022, Government Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies only to a motion for the assignment of a statutory
  probate court judge under Section 32.003, Estates Code, that is
  filed on or after the effective date of this Act. A motion filed
  before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in
  effect on the date the motion was filed, and the former law is
  continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.