By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1574

(In the Senate - Filed February 24, 2025; March 6, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Finance; April 22, 2025, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 14, Nays 0; April 22, 2025, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1574 By: Zaffirini

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a centers of excellence program developed by the Texas Judicial Council for certain justices and judges.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 71, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 71.040 to read as follows:

Sec. 71.040. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. (a) The council by rule shall develop a centers of excellence program to identify, support, and recognize justices and judges who excel in serving their communities and in representing the judiciary. In awarding a center of excellence recognition to a justice or judge, the council must consider:

(1) a justice's or judge's governance, access, fairness, case flow management, and court operations; and

(2) the compliance of the justice's or judge's court with statutory or procedural requirements for judicial reporting, court security, fee collection, indigent defense, and guardianship fraud and abuse prevention.

(b) A justice or judge of an appellate court, district court, statutory county court, county court, justice court, or municipal court is eligible for recognition as a center of excellence and may apply for recognition on a form and in the manner prescribed by the council.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a justice or judge recognized under a centers of excellence program developed by the Texas Judicial Council on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

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