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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a centers of excellence program developed by the Texas |
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Judicial Council for certain justices and judges. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 71, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 71.040 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 71.040. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. (a) The council by |
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rule shall develop a centers of excellence program to identify, |
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support, and recognize justices and judges who excel in serving |
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their communities and in representing the judiciary. In awarding a |
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center of excellence recognition to a justice or judge, the council |
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must consider: |
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(1) a justice's or judge's governance, access, |
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fairness, case flow management, and court operations; and |
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(2) the compliance of the justice's or judge's court |
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with statutory or procedural requirements for judicial reporting, |
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court security, fee collection, indigent defense, and guardianship |
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fraud and abuse prevention. |
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(b) A justice or judge of an appellate court, district |
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court, statutory county court, statutory probate court, county |
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court, justice court, or municipal court is eligible for |
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recognition as a center of excellence and may apply for recognition |
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on a form and in the manner prescribed by the council. |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to |
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a justice or judge recognized under a centers of excellence program |
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developed by the Texas Judicial Council on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |