The bill amends several sections of the Government Code related to the assignment of retired and former justices and judges in Texas. It establishes new eligibility criteria for these individuals to be assigned to active service in appellate courts. Specifically, it reduces the required active service duration from 96 months to 72 months, mandates that they must not have been publicly reprimanded or censured, and requires them to certify their willingness not to represent clients in certain courts for two years. Additionally, it introduces a requirement for judges to certify their willingness not to hear cases involving current or former clients during their assignment.

The bill also clarifies the definition of a "retired judge" and updates the eligibility criteria for judges to be included on a list for assignment. The amendments ensure that judges must have substantial experience in their specialty area and have completed educational requirements for active judges in the past fiscal year. The changes apply only to assignments made after the bill's effective date, preserving the previous law for assignments made before that time. The act is set to take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 74.003, Government Code 74.041, Government Code 74.055 (Government Code 74)