S.B. No. 293 aims to enhance judicial accountability and transparency by amending various sections of the Government Code related to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Key provisions include the expansion of the definition of "judge" to include justices of the peace and retired judges, the introduction of "official misconduct," and the modification of the definition of "sanction" to encompass public admonitions. The bill establishes a statute of limitations for complaints, allowing the commission to dismiss those filed after seven years unless good cause is shown. It also introduces administrative penalties for individuals who knowingly file false complaints and mandates timely notifications to judges regarding complaint actions.

Additionally, the bill outlines new procedures for handling complaints, including provisions for judges' substance abuse or mental incapacity, and requires preliminary investigations and potential suspensions with pay. It increases the annual base salary for district court judges and introduces a new salary framework for appellate justices, while also modifying the retirement system for judges. The bill includes a requirement for individuals to purchase service credit by September 1, 2027, and specifies that certain provisions will only apply to sanctions issued by the commission starting January 1, 2026. Overall, S.B. No. 293 seeks to reform judicial conduct processes and enhance the compensation and retirement benefits for judges in Texas.

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 814, Government Code 74, Government Code 834, Government Code 659, Government Code 665, Government Code 33)
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 837, Government Code 814, Government Code 74, Government Code 834, Government Code 659, Government Code 665, Government Code 840, Government Code 33)
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 837, Government Code 814, Government Code 74, Government Code 834, Government Code 659, Government Code 665, Government Code 840, Government Code 33)