S.B. No. 293 aims to enhance judicial discipline, transparency, and the handling of complaints against judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Key provisions include the requirement for courts to conduct oral arguments via teleconferencing technology, the establishment of specific timelines for ruling on motions for summary judgment within 90 days, and the introduction of a new definition for "official misconduct." The bill also sets a seven-year statute of limitations for filing complaints, imposes administrative penalties for false complaints, and mandates timely notifications to judges regarding complaints and their outcomes. Additionally, it requires the commission to notify high-ranking officials when extensions for investigations are ordered and to conduct preliminary investigations into complaints of substance abuse or mental incapacity.

Furthermore, the bill amends the Government Code to update judges' eligibility criteria, compensation, and retirement benefits. It increases the annual base salary for district court judges from $140,000 to $175,000 and introduces new salary structures for appellate justices. The bill also modifies retirement annuity calculations and allows retirees who return to judicial service to rejoin the retirement system under specific conditions. Provisions related to motions for summary judgment and judicial misconduct allegations will apply only to actions taken after the bill's effective date, with the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals required to adopt necessary rules by March 1, 2026. Most provisions will take effect on September 1, 2025, while some may take effect immediately if passed by a two-thirds majority.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 33.001, Government Code 33.0211, Government Code 33.0212, Government Code 33.0213, Government Code 33.022, Government Code 33.034, Government Code 33.037, Government Code 74.055, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 665.052, Government Code 814.103, Government Code 834.102 (Government Code 74, Government Code 33, Government Code 659, Government Code 834, Government Code 665, Government Code 814)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 33.001, Government Code 33.0211, Government Code 33.0212, Government Code 33.0213, Government Code 33.022, Government Code 33.032, Government Code 33.033, Government Code 33.023, Government Code 33.034, Government Code 33.037, Government Code 74.055, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 665.052, Government Code 814.103, Government Code 834.102, Government Code 837.102, Government Code 837.103, Government Code 840.1025, Government Code 840.1027 (Government Code 74, Government Code 33, Government Code 659, Government Code 834, Government Code 837, Government Code 665, Government Code 840, Government Code 814)
Engrossed: Government Code 33.001, Government Code 33.0211, Government Code 33.0212, Government Code 33.0213, Government Code 33.022, Government Code 33.032, Government Code 33.033, Government Code 33.023, Government Code 33.034, Government Code 33.037, Government Code 74.055, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 665.052, Government Code 814.103, Government Code 834.102, Government Code 837.102, Government Code 837.103, Government Code 840.1025, Government Code 840.1027 (Government Code 74, Government Code 33, Government Code 659, Government Code 834, Government Code 837, Government Code 665, Government Code 840, Government Code 814)
House Committee Report: Government Code 22.302, Government Code 33.001, Government Code 33.0211, Government Code 33.0212, Government Code 33.0213, Government Code 33.022, Government Code 33.023, Government Code 33.032, Government Code 33.033, Government Code 33.034, Government Code 33.037, Government Code 73.003, Government Code 74.055, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 665.052, Government Code 814.103, Government Code 820.053, Government Code 834.102, Government Code 837.102, Government Code 837.103, Government Code 840.1025, Government Code 840.1027 (Government Code 74, Government Code 33, Government Code 659, Government Code 834, Government Code 820, Government Code 837, Government Code 665, Government Code 22, Government Code 73, Government Code 840, Government Code 814)
Enrolled: Government Code 22.302, Government Code 33.001, Government Code 33.0211, Government Code 33.0212, Government Code 33.0213, Government Code 33.022, Government Code 33.023, Government Code 33.034, Government Code 33.037, Government Code 73.003, Government Code 74.055, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 665.052, Government Code 814.103, Government Code 820.053, Government Code 834.102, Government Code 837.102, Government Code 837.103, Government Code 840.1025, Government Code 840.1027 (Government Code 74, Government Code 33, Government Code 659, Government Code 834, Government Code 820, Government Code 837, Government Code 665, Government Code 22, Government Code 73, Government Code 840, Government Code 814)