S.B. No. 293 seeks to enhance the discipline and transparency of the judicial system in Texas by amending various sections of the Government Code. 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, and the introduction of a new definition for "official misconduct." The bill also sets a seven-year statute of limitations for filing complaints against judges, with the commission empowered to impose penalties for false complaints. Additionally, it mandates that judges receive timely notifications regarding complaints against them, thereby improving accountability within the judicial process.

The bill further addresses the eligibility criteria and compensation for judges, increasing the annual base salary for district court judges and establishing new salary structures for appellate justices. It also introduces provisions for the Texas Ethics Commission to consider equitable increases in retirement annuities and allows retirees who return to judicial service to rejoin the retirement system under specific conditions. Moreover, the bill outlines adjustments to the contribution rates for members of the Judicial Retirement System and sets a timeline for the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to adopt necessary rules. Overall, S.B. No. 293 aims to streamline judicial processes, enhance accountability, and ensure fair compensation and retirement benefits for judges.

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 834, Government Code 33, Government Code 814, Government Code 659, Government Code 74, Government Code 665)
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 840, Government Code 834, Government Code 33, Government Code 814, Government Code 659, Government Code 74, Government Code 665, Government Code 837)
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 840, Government Code 834, Government Code 33, Government Code 814, Government Code 659, Government Code 74, Government Code 665, Government Code 837)
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 820, Government Code 840, Government Code 834, Government Code 33, Government Code 814, Government Code 22, Government Code 73, Government Code 659, Government Code 74, Government Code 665, Government Code 837)
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 820, Government Code 840, Government Code 834, Government Code 33, Government Code 814, Government Code 22, Government Code 73, Government Code 659, Government Code 74, Government Code 665, Government Code 837)