89R5620 BCH-D

By: Hughes S.B. No. 2878

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government.

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

ARTICLE 1. DISTRICT COURTS

SECTION 1.001. (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 24.60035 and 24.60036 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.60035. 490TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRAZORIA COUNTY). The 490th Judicial District is composed of Brazoria County.

Sec. 24.60036. 491ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRAZORIA COUNTY). The 491st Judicial District is composed of Brazoria County.

(b) The 490th Judicial District is created on September 1, 2025.

(c) The 491st Judicial District is created on September 1, 2026.

SECTION 1.002. (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 24.60046 and 24.60047 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.60046. 501ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY). The 501st Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County.

Sec. 24.60047. 502ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY). The 502nd Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County.

(b) The 501st and 502nd Judicial Districts are created on September 1, 2025.

SECTION 1.003. (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60048 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.60048. 503RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ROCKWALL COUNTY). The 503rd Judicial District is composed of Rockwall County.

(b) The 503rd Judicial District is created on September 1, 2025.

SECTION 1.004. (a) Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60049 to read as follows:

Sec. 24.60049. 504TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ELLIS COUNTY). The 504th Judicial District is composed of Ellis County.

(b) The 504th Judicial District is created on September 1, 2025.

ARTICLE 2. STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS

SECTION 2.001. (a) Section 25.0092, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:

(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, and except as limited by Subsection (b), a county court at law in Atascosa County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:

(1) Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases;

(2) family law matters;

(3) juvenile matters;

(4) probate matters; [and]

(5) appeals from the justice and municipal courts; and

(6) civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds the maximum amount provided by Section 25.0003 but does not exceed $1 million, excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition, including:

(A) a suit to decide the issue of title to real or personal property;

(B) a suit for the enforcement of a lien on real property;

(C) a suit for the trial of the right to property valued at $500 or more that has been levied on under a writ of execution, sequestration, or attachment; and

(D) a suit for the recovery of real property.

(c-1) In addition to other assignments provided by law, a judge of the county court at law in Atascosa County is subject to assignment under Chapter 74 to any district court in Atascosa County. A county court at law judge assigned to a district court may hear any matter pending in the district court.

(d) The judge of a county court at law shall be paid as provided by Section 25.0005 [a total annual salary set by the commissioners court at an amount that is not less than $1,000 less than the total annual salary received by a district judge in the county. A district judge's or statutory county court judge's total annual salary does not include contributions and supplements paid by a county].

(b) Section 25.0092(a), Government Code, as amended by this section, applies only to a case filed or proceeding commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. A case filed or proceeding commenced before that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the case was filed or the proceeding was commenced, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 2.002. (a) Section 25.0212, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (f) and adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read as follows:

(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law and except as limited by Subsection (b), a county court at law in Bowie County has, concurrent with the district court, the jurisdiction provided by the constitution and by general law for district courts, including concurrent jurisdiction in:

(1) specialty court programs;

(2) misdemeanor cases;

(3) family law cases and proceedings, including juvenile matters; and

(4) probate and guardianship matters.

(b) A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:

(1) felony criminal matters;

(2) suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties or escheated property;

(3) misdemeanors involving official misconduct;

(4) contested elections; or

(5) civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds the amount provided in Section 25.0003 [$200,000], excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition.

(f) The [commissioners court may authorize the judge of a county court at law to set the] official court reporter of a county court at law is entitled to compensation, fees, and allowances in amounts equal to the amounts paid to the official court reporters serving the district courts in Bowie County, including an annual salary set by the judge of the county court at law and approved by the commissioners court [reporter's salary].

(i) The jury in all civil or criminal matters is composed of 12 members, except in misdemeanor criminal cases and any other case in which the court has concurrent jurisdiction with county courts under Section 25.0003(a), the jury is composed of six members.

(j) In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a county court at law and a judge of a district court with jurisdiction in Bowie County may transfer cases between the courts in the same manner that judges of district courts may transfer cases under Section 24.003.

(b) Section 25.0212(d), Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 2.003. (a) Section 25.1102(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Hidalgo County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:

(1) family law cases and proceedings; [and]

(2) civil cases; and

(3) criminal cases for an offense punishable as a state jail felony [in which the matter in controversy does not exceed $750,000, excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the page of the petition].

(b) Section 25.1102(a), Government Code, as amended by this section, applies only to an action filed in a county court at law in Hidalgo County on or after the effective date of this Act. An action filed in a county court at law in Hidalgo County before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the action was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 2.004. Section 25.1902(b-1), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b-1) In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Subsections (a) and (b), the county courts at law in [County Court at Law No. 1 of] Potter County have [has] concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in felony cases to conduct arraignments, conduct pretrial hearings, and accept pleas in uncontested matters.

SECTION 2.005. (a) Section 25.1723(c), Government Code, is repealed.

(b) Section 25.1723(c), Government Code, as repealed by this section, applies only to an action filed on or after the effective date of this Act. An action filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before that date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.

ARTICLE 3. VISITING JUDGES

SECTION 3.001. Sections 25.0022(d), (h), (k), (o), (t), (u), and (w), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(d) The presiding judge shall:

(1) ensure the promulgation of local rules of administration in accordance with policies and guidelines set by the supreme court;

(2) advise local statutory probate court judges on case flow management practices and auxiliary court services;

(3) perform a duty of a local administrative statutory probate court judge if the local administrative judge does not perform that duty;

(4) appoint an assistant presiding judge of the statutory probate courts;

(5) call and preside over annual meetings of the judges of the statutory probate courts at a time and place in the state as designated by the presiding judge;

(6) call and convene other meetings of the judges of the statutory probate courts as considered necessary by the presiding judge to promote the orderly and efficient administration of justice in the statutory probate courts;

(7) study available statistics reflecting the condition of the dockets of the probate courts in the state to determine the need for the assignment of judges under this section;

(8) compare local rules of court to achieve uniformity of rules to the extent practical and consistent with local conditions;

(9) assign or order the clerk who serves the statutory probate courts to randomly assign a judge or former or retired judge of a statutory probate court or a former or retired justice of an appellate court to hear a case under Section 25.002201(a) or 25.00255, as applicable; and

(10) require the local administrative judge for statutory probate courts in a county to ensure that all statutory probate courts in the county comply with Chapter 37.

(h) Subject to Section 25.002201, a judge or a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court or a former or retired justice of an appellate court may be assigned by the presiding judge of the statutory probate courts to hold court in a statutory probate court, a county court, or any statutory court exercising probate jurisdiction when:

(1) a statutory probate judge requests assignment of another judge to the judge's court;

(2) a statutory probate judge is absent, disabled, or disqualified for any reason;

(3) a statutory probate judge is present or is trying cases as authorized by the constitution and laws of this state and the condition of the court's docket makes it necessary to appoint an additional judge;

(4) the office of a statutory probate judge is vacant;

(5) the presiding judge of an administrative judicial district requests the assignment of a statutory probate judge to hear a probate matter in a county court or statutory county court;

(6) the statutory probate judge is recused or disqualified as described by Section 25.002201(a);

(7) a county court judge requests the assignment of a statutory probate judge to hear a probate matter in the county court; or

(8) a local administrative statutory probate court judge requests the assignment of a statutory probate judge to hear a matter in a statutory probate court.

(k) The daily compensation of a former or retired judge or justice for purposes of this section is set at an amount equal to the daily compensation of a judge of a statutory probate court in the county in which the former or retired judge or justice is assigned. A former or retired judge or justice assigned to a county that does not have a statutory probate court shall be paid an amount equal to the daily compensation of a judge of a statutory probate court in the county where the assigned judge or justice was last elected.

(o) The county in which the assigned judge served shall pay out of the general fund of the county:

(1) expenses certified under Subsection (m) to the assigned judge; and

(2) the salary certified under Subsection (m) to the county in which the assigned judge serves, or, if the assigned judge is a former or retired judge or justice, to the assigned judge.

(t) To be eligible for assignment under this section, a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court or a former or retired justice of an appellate court must:

(1) not have been removed from office;

(2) certify under oath to the presiding judge, on a form prescribed by the state board of regional judges, that:

(A) the judge or justice has not been publicly reprimanded or censured by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct; and

(B) the judge or justice:

(i) did not resign or retire from office after the State Commission on Judicial Conduct notified the judge or justice of the commencement of a full investigation into an allegation or appearance of misconduct or disability of the judge or justice as provided in Section 33.022 and before the final disposition of that investigation; or

(ii) if the judge or justice did resign from office under circumstances described by Subparagraph (i), was not publicly reprimanded or censured as a result of the investigation;

(3) annually demonstrate that the judge or justice has completed in the past state fiscal year the educational requirements for an active statutory probate court judge;

(4) have served as an active judge or justice for at least 72 months in a district, statutory probate, statutory county, or appellate court; and

(5) have developed substantial experience in the judge's or justice's area of specialty.

(u) In addition to the eligibility requirements under Subsection (t), to be eligible for assignment under this section in the judge's or justice's county of residence, a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court or a former or retired justice of an appellate court must certify to the presiding judge a willingness not to:

(1) appear and plead as an attorney in any court in the judge's county of residence for a period of two years; and

(2) accept appointment as a guardian ad litem, guardian of the estate of an incapacitated person, or guardian of the person of an incapacitated person in any court in the judge's or justice's county of residence for a period of two years.

(w) A former or retired judge or justice who is assigned under this section is not an employee of the county in which the assigned court is located.

SECTION 3.002. Section 25.002201, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 25.002201. ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGE ON RECUSAL OR DISQUALIFICATION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), not later than the 15th day after the date an order of recusal or disqualification of a statutory probate court judge is issued in a case, the presiding judge shall assign a statutory probate court judge or a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court or a former or retired justice of an appellate court to hear the case if:

(1) the judge of the statutory probate court recused himself or herself under Section 25.00255(g)(1)(A);

(2) the judge of the statutory probate court disqualified himself or herself under Section 25.00255(g-1);

(3) the order was issued under Section 25.00255(i-3)(1); or

(4) the presiding judge receives notice and a request for assignment from the clerk of the statutory probate court under Section 25.00255(l).

(b) If the judge who is the subject of an order of recusal or disqualification is the presiding judge of the statutory probate courts, the chief justice of the supreme court shall assign a statutory probate judge, [or] a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court, or a former or retired justice of an appellate court to hear the case.

SECTION 3.003. Section 25.00255(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Notwithstanding any conflicting provision in the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 18a and 18b, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, apply to the recusal and disqualification of a statutory probate court judge except as otherwise provided by this section or another provision of this subchapter. The presiding judge:

(1) has the authority and shall perform the functions and duties of the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region under the rules, including the duty to hear or rule on a referred motion of recusal or disqualification or, subject to Subdivisions (2) and (3), assign a judge to hear and rule on a referred motion of recusal or disqualification;

(2) may assign a presiding judge of the administrative judicial region to hear and rule on a referred motion of recusal or disqualification only with the consent of the presiding judge of the administrative judicial region;

(3) may not assign a judge of a statutory probate court located in the same county as the statutory probate court served by the judge who is the subject of the motion of recusal or disqualification; and

(4) if the presiding judge is the subject of the motion of recusal or disqualification, shall sign and file with the clerk an order referring the motion to the chief justice of the supreme court for assignment of a presiding judge of an administrative judicial region, a statutory probate court judge, [or] a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court, or a former or retired justice of an appellate court to hear and rule on the motion, subject to Subdivisions (2) and (3).

ARTICLE 4. CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATES

SECTION 4.001. Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter EE to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER EE. BELL COUNTY CRIMINAL MAGISTRATES

Sec. 54.1601. APPOINTMENT. (a) The Commissioners Court of Bell County may select magistrates to serve the courts of Bell County having jurisdiction in criminal matters.

(b) The commissioners court shall establish the minimum qualifications, salary, benefits, and other compensation of each magistrate position and shall determine whether the position is full-time or part-time. The qualifications must require the magistrate to:

(1) have served as a justice of the peace or municipal court judge; or

(2) be an attorney licensed in this state.

(c) A magistrate appointed under this section serves at the pleasure of the commissioners court.

Sec. 54.1602. JURISDICTION. A magistrate has concurrent criminal jurisdiction with the judges of the justice of the peace courts of Bell County.

Sec. 54.1603. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The Commissioners Court of Bell County shall establish the powers and duties of a magistrate appointed under this subchapter. Except as otherwise provided by the commissioners court, a magistrate has the powers of a magistrate under the Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.

(b) A magistrate shall give preference to performing the duties of a magistrate under Article 15.17, Code of Criminal Procedure.

(c) The commissioners court may designate one or more magistrates to hold regular hearings to:

(1) give admonishments;

(2) set and review bail and conditions of release;

(3) appoint legal counsel; and

(4) determine other routine matters relating to preindictment or pending cases within those courts' jurisdiction.

(d) In the hearings provided under Subsection (c), a magistrate shall give preference to the case of an individual held in county jail.

(e) A magistrate may inquire into a defendant's intended plea to the charge and set the case for an appropriate hearing before a judge or master.

Sec. 54.1604. JUDICIAL IMMUNITY. A magistrate has the same judicial immunity as a district judge.

Sec. 54.1605. WITNESSES. (a) A witness who is sworn and who appears before a magistrate is subject to the penalties for perjury and aggravated perjury provided by law.

(b) A referring court may fine or imprison a witness or other court participant for failure to appear after being summoned, refusal to answer questions, or other acts of direct contempt before a magistrate.

SECTION 4.002. Article 2A.151, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 2A.151. TYPES OF MAGISTRATES. The following officers are magistrates for purposes of this code:

(1) a justice of the supreme court;

(2) a judge of the court of criminal appeals;

(3) a justice of the courts of appeals;

(4) a judge of a district court;

(5) an associate judge appointed by:

(A) a judge of a district court or a statutory county court that gives preference to criminal cases in Jefferson County;

(B) a judge of a district court or a statutory county court of Brazos County, Nueces County, or Williamson County; or

(C) a judge of a district court under Chapter 54A, Government Code;

(6) a criminal magistrate appointed by:

(A) the Bell County Commissioners Court;

(B) the Brazoria County Commissioners Court; or

(C) [(B)] the Burnet County Commissioners Court;

(7) a criminal law hearing officer for:

(A) Harris County appointed under Subchapter L, Chapter 54, Government Code; or

(B) Cameron County appointed under Subchapter BB, Chapter 54, Government Code;

(8) a magistrate appointed:

(A) by a judge of a district court of Bexar County, Dallas County, or Tarrant County that gives preference to criminal cases;

(B) by a judge of a criminal district court of Dallas County or Tarrant County;

(C) by a judge of a district court or statutory county court of Denton or Grayson County;

(D) by a judge of a district court or statutory county court that gives preference to criminal cases in Travis County;

(E) [(D)] by the El Paso Council of Judges;

(F) [(E)] by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court;

(G) [(F)] by the Collin County Commissioners Court; or

(H) [(G)] under Subchapter JJ, Chapter 54, Government Code;

(9) a magistrate or associate judge appointed by a judge of a district court of Lubbock County, Nolan County, or Webb County;

(10) a county judge;

(11) a judge of:

(A) a statutory county court;

(B) a county criminal court; or

(C) a statutory probate court;

(12) an associate judge appointed by a judge of a statutory probate court under Chapter 54A, Government Code;

(13) a justice of the peace; and

(14) a mayor or recorder of a municipality or a judge of a municipal court.

ARTICLE 5. BUSINESS COURT

SECTION 5.001. Section 659.012, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

(a-1) In addition to the annual base salary from the state prescribed by Subsection (a), a judge of a division of the business court is entitled to an annual salary supplement from the state in an amount equal to the difference between the judge's annual base salary from the state and the maximum combined base salary from all state and county sources paid to a district judge under Subsection (a).

ARTICLE 6. JURORS

SECTION 6.001. Article 19A.051(c), Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The judge shall test the qualifications for and exemptions [excuses] from service as a grand juror and impanel the completed grand jury as provided by this chapter.

SECTION 6.002. The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 19A, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER C. GRAND JUROR QUALIFICATIONS; EXEMPTIONS [EXCUSES]

FROM SERVICE

SECTION 6.003. Article 19A.101, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 19A.101. GRAND JUROR QUALIFICATIONS; LISTS OF DISQUALIFIED PERSONS. (a) A person may be selected or serve as a grand juror only if the person:

(1) is at least 18 years of age;

(2) is a citizen of the United States;

(3) is a resident of this state and of the county in which the person is to serve;

(4) is qualified under the constitution and other laws to vote in the county in which the grand jury is sitting, regardless of whether the person is registered to vote;

(5) is of sound mind and good moral character;

(6) is able to read and write;

(7) has never been convicted of misdemeanor theft [or a felony];

(8) has never been convicted of a felony;

(9) is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony;

(10) [(9)] is not related within the third degree by consanguinity or second degree by affinity, as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code, to any person selected to serve or serving on the same grand jury;

(11) [(10)] has not served as a grand juror in the year before the date on which the term of court for which the person has been selected as a grand juror begins; and

(12) [(11)] is not a complainant in any matter to be heard by the grand jury during the term of court for which the person has been selected as a grand juror.

(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk of the district court shall prepare:

(1) a list of persons who in the preceding month were disqualified from serving as a grand juror based on the person's citizenship [or indictment or conviction for misdemeanor theft or a felony] and send a copy of the list to:

(A) [(1)] the secretary of state;

(B) the voter registrar for the county in which the grand jury is sitting; and

(C) [(2)] the prosecuting attorney for the court to which the grand jurors were summoned for investigation into whether any person made a false claim concerning the person's qualification under Subsection (a)(2);

(2) a list of persons who in the preceding month were disqualified from serving as a grand juror based on the person's residency and send a copy of the list to:

(A) the secretary of state; and

(B) the voter registrar for the county in which the grand jury is sitting; and

(3) a list of persons who in the preceding month were disqualified from serving as a grand juror based on the person's indictment for misdemeanor theft or a felony and send a copy of the list to:

(A) the secretary of state;

(B) the voter registrar for the county in which the grand jury is sitting; and

(C) the prosecuting attorney for the court to which the grand jurors were summoned for investigation into whether any person made a false claim concerning the person's qualification under Subsection (a)(9) [, (7), or (8)].

SECTION 6.004. Article 19A.105, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 19A.105. EXCUSE AND EXEMPTION [EXCUSES] FROM GRAND JURY SERVICE. (a) The court shall excuse from serving any summoned person who does not possess the requisite qualifications or who claims an exemption to which the person is entitled.

(b) The following qualified persons may be exempted [excused] from grand jury service:

(1) a person who is 75 years of age or older [than 70 years of age];

(2) a person responsible for the care of a child who is younger than 18 years of age and who will be without adequate supervision if the person serves on the grand jury;

(3) a student of a public or private secondary school;

(4) a person enrolled in and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education; and

(5) any other person the court determines has a reasonable excuse from service.

SECTION 6.005. Subchapter C, Chapter 19A, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Articles 19A.106 and 19A.107 to read as follows:

Art. 19A.106. PERMANENT EXEMPTION FOR ELDERLY. (a) A person who is entitled to exemption from grand jury service because the person is 75 years of age or older may establish a permanent exemption on that ground as provided by this article.

(b) A person may claim a permanent exemption by filing with the district clerk or the clerk of a district court in the county, through an electronic transmission, mail, or personal delivery, a signed statement affirming the person is 75 years of age or older and desires a permanent exemption on that ground.

(c) The district clerk shall maintain a current register of the name of each person who resides in the county and who has claimed and is entitled to a permanent exemption from grand jury service because the person is 75 years of age or older.

(d) On the third business day of each month, the district clerk shall prepare a list of persons who in the preceding month were permanently exempted from serving as a grand juror under this article and send a copy of the list to the secretary of state and the voter registrar of each county served by the clerk.

(e) A person whose name appears on the register of persons permanently exempted from serving as a grand juror under this article may not be selected or summoned for grand jury service by any district judge in the county.

(f) A person who has claimed a permanent exemption from jury service under this article may rescind the exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the rescission with the district clerk or the clerk of a district court in the county. Rescission of a permanent exemption does not affect the right of a person who is 75 years of age or older to claim a permanent exemption at a later time.

Art. 19A.107. LIST OF DISQUALIFIED CONVICTED PERSONS. (a) The district clerk shall maintain a list of the name and address of each person who is disqualified under this subchapter from grand jury service because the person was convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony.

(b) A person who was convicted of misdemeanor theft or a felony is permanently disqualified from serving as a juror.

(c) A person whose name appears on the list maintained under this article may not be selected or summoned for grand jury service by any judge of a district court served by the clerk.

(d) On the third business day of each month, the district clerk shall send a copy of the list maintained under this article to:

(1) the secretary of state;

(2) the voter registrar for the county in which the grand jury is sitting; and

(3) the prosecuting attorney for the court to which the grand jurors were summoned for investigation into whether any person made a false claim concerning the person's qualification under Article 19A.101(a)(7) or (8).

SECTION 6.006. Sections 62.001(a) and (b), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The jury wheel must be reconstituted by using, as the source:

(1) the names of all persons on the current voter registration lists from all the precincts in the county; and

(2) all names on a current list to be furnished by the Department of Public Safety, showing the citizens of the county who:

(A) hold a valid Texas driver's license or a valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the department; and

(B) are not disqualified from jury service under Section 62.102(1), (2), (3), (7), or (8).

(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the names of persons listed on a register of persons exempt from jury service may not be placed in the jury wheel, as provided by Sections 62.108 and[,] 62.109 [, 62.113, 62.114, and 62.115].

SECTION 6.007. Section 62.0132(g), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(g) The information contained in a completed questionnaire may be disclosed to:

(1) a judge assigned to hear a cause of action in which the respondent to the questionnaire is a potential juror;

(2) court personnel;

(3) a litigant and a litigant's attorney in a cause of action in which the respondent to the questionnaire is a potential juror; and

(4) other than information provided that is related to Section 62.102(2), (3), (7), (8), or (9) [62.102(8) or (9)], the voter registrar of a county in connection with any matter of voter registration or the administration of elections.

SECTION 6.008. Section 62.102, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 62.102. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR JURY SERVICE. A person is disqualified to serve as a petit juror unless the person:

(1) is at least 18 years of age;

(2) is a citizen of the United States;

(3) is a resident of this state and of the county in which the person is to serve as a juror;

(4) is qualified under the constitution and laws to vote in the county in which the person is to serve as a juror;

(5) is of sound mind and good moral character;

(6) is able to read and write;

(7) [has not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court;

[(8)] has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft [or a felony];

(8) has not been convicted of a felony; [and]

(9) is not under indictment or other legal accusation for misdemeanor theft or a felony; and

(10) has not served as a petit juror for six days during the preceding three months in the county court or during the preceding six months in the district court.

SECTION 6.009. Section 62.106(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A person qualified to serve as a petit juror may establish an exemption from jury service if the person:

(1) is [over] 75 years of age or older;

(2) has legal custody of a child younger than 12 years of age and the person's service on the jury requires leaving the child without adequate supervision;

(3) is a student of a public or private secondary school;

(4) is a person enrolled and in actual attendance at an institution of higher education;

(5) is an officer or an employee of the senate, the house of representatives, or any department, commission, board, office, or other agency in the legislative branch of state government;

(6) is summoned for service in a county with a population of at least 200,000, unless that county uses a jury plan under Section 62.011 and the period authorized under Section 62.011(b)(5) exceeds two years, and the person has served as a petit juror in the county during the 24-month period preceding the date the person is to appear for jury service;

(7) is the primary caretaker of a person who is unable to care for himself or herself;

(8) except as provided by Subsection (b), is summoned for service in a county with a population of at least 250,000 and the person has served as a petit juror in the county during the three-year period preceding the date the person is to appear for jury service; or

(9) is a member of the United States military forces serving on active duty and deployed to a location away from the person's home station and out of the person's county of residence.

SECTION 6.010. Section 62.107(c), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) A person who files a statement with a clerk of the court, as provided by Subsection (a), claiming an exemption because the person is [over] 75 years of age or older, may also claim the permanent exemption on that ground authorized by Section 62.108 by including in the statement filed with the clerk a declaration that the person desires the permanent exemption. The [Promptly after a statement claiming a permanent exemption on the basis of age is filed, the] clerk of the court with whom the declaration [it] is filed shall notify [have a copy delivered to] the voter registrar of the county.

SECTION 6.011. Section 62.108, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (e) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:

(a) A person who is entitled to exemption from jury service because the person is [over] 75 years of age or older may establish a permanent exemption on that ground as provided by this section or Section 62.107.

(b) A person may claim a permanent exemption:

(1) by filing with the district clerk [voter registrar] of the county, by mail or personal delivery, a signed statement affirming that the person is [over] 75 years of age or older and desires a permanent exemption on that ground; or

(2) in the manner provided by Section 62.107(c).

(c) The district clerk [voter registrar] of the county shall maintain a current register indicating the name of each person who has claimed and is entitled to a permanent exemption from jury service because the person is [over] 75 years of age or older.

(c-1) On the third business day of each month, the district clerk shall prepare a list of persons who in the preceding month claimed and were entitled to a permanent exemption under this section and send a copy of the list to the secretary of state and the voter registrar of each county served by the clerk.

(e) A person who has claimed a permanent exemption from jury service because the person is [over] 75 years of age or older may rescind the exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the rescission with the voter registrar of the county. Rescission of a permanent exemption does not affect the right of a person who is [over] 75 years of age or older to claim permanent exemption at a later time.

SECTION 6.012. Section 62.109, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) The judge of a district court or the district clerk [by order] may permanently or for a specified period exempt from service as a juror in all the county and district courts in the county a person with a physical or mental impairment or with an inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language that makes it impossible or very difficult for the person to serve on a jury.

(b) A person requesting an exemption under this section must submit to the court or the district clerk an affidavit stating the person's name and address and the reason for and the duration of the requested exemption. A person requesting an exemption due to a physical or mental impairment must attach to the affidavit a statement from a physician. The affidavit and physician's statement may be submitted to the court at the time the person is summoned for jury service or at any other time.

(b-1) The district clerk shall maintain a current list indicating the name of each person permanently or temporarily exempt under this section and the period of the exemption.

(d) A person included on the list maintained under Subsection (b-1) [listed on the register] may not be summoned for jury service during the period for which the person is exempt. The name of a person included on the list maintained under Subsection (b-1) [listed on the register] may not be placed in the jury wheel or otherwise used in preparing the record of names from which a jury list is selected during the period for which the person is exempt.

(e) A person exempt from jury service under this section may rescind the exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the rescission with the district clerk [voter registrar] of the county.

SECTION 6.013. Sections 62.113(a) and (b), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The clerk of the court shall maintain a list of the name and address of each person who is [excused or] disqualified under this subchapter from jury service because the person is not a citizen of the United States.

(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall send a copy of the list of persons [excused or] disqualified because of citizenship in the previous month to:

(1) the voter registrar of the county;

(2) the secretary of state; and

(3) the county or district attorney for an investigation of whether the person committed an offense under Section 13.007, Election Code, or other law.

SECTION 6.014. Sections 62.114(a) and (b), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The clerk of the court shall maintain a list containing the name and address of each person who is [excused or] disqualified under this subchapter from jury service because the person is not a resident of the county.

(b) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall send a copy of the list of persons [excused or] disqualified in the previous month because the persons do not reside in the county to:

(1) the voter registrar of the county; and

(2) the secretary of state.

SECTION 6.015. Sections 62.115(c) and (d), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(c) The district clerk shall [may] remove from the jury wheel the jury wheel card for the person whose name appears on the list.

(d) On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall send [to the secretary of state] a copy of the list of persons disqualified because of a conviction of misdemeanor theft or a felony to:

(1) the secretary of state;

(2) the voter registrar of the county; and

(3) the prosecuting attorney for a court to which a person was summoned for investigation into whether the person made a false claim of qualification under Section 62.102(7) or (8) [in the preceding month].

SECTION 6.016. The changes in law made by this article apply only to a person who is summoned to appear for service on a grand jury or petit jury on or after the effective date of this Act. A person who is summoned to appear for service on a grand jury or petit jury before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the person was summoned, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

ARTICLE 7. COURT ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 7.001. Section 57.002(d), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(d) Subject to Subsection (e), in a county with a population of 50,000 or more, a court may appoint a spoken language interpreter who is not a certified or licensed court interpreter:

(1) if:

(A) [(1)] the language necessary in the proceeding is a language other than Spanish; and

(B) [(2)] the court makes a finding that there is no licensed court interpreter within 75 miles who can interpret in the language that is necessary in a proceeding; or

(2) if the court is a justice court, municipal court, or municipal court of record.

SECTION 7.002. Section 74.092(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A local administrative judge, for the courts for which the judge serves as local administrative judge, shall:

(1) implement and execute the local rules of administration, including the assignment, docketing, transfer, and hearing of cases;

(2) appoint any special or standing committees necessary or desirable for court management and administration;

(3) promulgate local rules of administration if the other judges do not act by a majority vote;

(4) recommend to the regional presiding judge any needs for assignment from outside the county to dispose of court caseloads;

(5) supervise the expeditious movement of court caseloads, subject to local, regional, and state rules of administration;

(6) provide the supreme court and the office of court administration requested statistical and management information;

(7) set the hours and places for holding court in the county;

(8) supervise the employment and performance of nonjudicial personnel;

(9) supervise the budget and fiscal matters of the local courts, subject to local rules of administration;

(10) coordinate and cooperate with any other local administrative judge in the district in the assignment of cases in the courts' concurrent jurisdiction for the efficient operation of the court system and the effective administration of justice;

(11) if requested by the courts the judge serves, establish and maintain the lists required by Section 37.003 and ensure appointments are made from the lists in accordance with Section 37.004;

(12) perform other duties as may be directed by the chief justice or a regional presiding judge; and

(13) establish a court security committee to adopt security policies and procedures for the courts served by the local administrative district judge that is composed of:

(A) the local administrative district judge, or the judge's designee, who serves as presiding officer of the committee;

(B) a representative of the sheriff's office;

(C) a representative of each constable's office in the county;

(D) a representative of the county commissioners court;

(E) [(D)] one judge of each type of court in the county other than a municipal court or a municipal court of record;

(F) a justice of the peace who serves the county;

(G) [(E)] a representative of any county attorney's office, district attorney's office, or criminal district attorney's office that serves in the applicable courts; and

(H) [(F)] any other person the committee determines necessary to assist the committee.

SECTION 7.003. Section 74.092(b), Government Code, is redesignated as Section 74.0922, Government Code, and amended to read as follows:

Sec. 74.0922. DUTIES OF COURT SECURITY COMMITTEE. [(b)] A court security committee established under Section 74.092(a)(13) shall meet at least once annually to develop and submit recommendations [may recommend] to the county commissioners court on the uses of resources and expenditures of money for courthouse security, including recommendations on the allocation of any county court security budget, but may not direct the assignment of those resources or the expenditure of those funds.

ARTICLE 8. MISCELLANEOUS COURT PROVISIONS

SECTION 8.001. Section 615.003(a), Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A county with a population of 40,000 [150,000] or more may construct, enlarge, equip, and operate a parking lot or parking garage adjacent to or near the county courthouse.

ARTICLE 9. CONFLICT; EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 9.001. To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.

SECTION 9.002. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.