Honorable Jeff Leach, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SJR27 by Huffman (Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and the authority of the commission and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.), As Engrossed
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SJR27, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($878,845) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
The resolution would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the resolution.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026
($535,267)
2027
($343,578)
2028
($343,578)
2029
($343,578)
2030
($343,578)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable (Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2025
2026
($535,267)
2.0
2027
($343,578)
2.0
2028
($343,578)
2.0
2029
($343,578)
2.0
2030
($343,578)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The
resolution would propose an amendment to Article V of the Texas Constitution to
alter the composition of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) membership,
to adjust the term of office for commissioners, and to restrict certain
disciplinary mechanisms for the Commission.
Methodology
According to SCJC, the provisions of the resolution that remove private sanction as a disciplinary option would increase the amount of litigation the agency would have to undertake.
Based on information provided by SCJC, this analysis assumes the agency would require $343,578 each fiscal year and 2.0 FTE positions to handle the increased litigation the agency anticipates. This includes $240,000 in salaries for the two staff attorneys, $20,770 in costs associated with the additional staff and $11,000 in court reporter fees each fiscal year. Benefit and payroll contribution costs would total $71,808 each fiscal year.
The cost to the state for publication of the resolution is $191,689.
The proposed amendment would be submitted to voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 242 State Commission on Judicial Conduct, 300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor