S.B. No. 293 aims to enhance judicial discipline, transparency, and the handling of complaints against judges by amending various sections of the Government Code. Key provisions include the requirement for courts to conduct oral arguments via teleconferencing from designated state facilities, the establishment of specific timeframes for hearing motions for summary judgment, and a statute of limitations for filing complaints against judges, which allows for dismissal of complaints filed after seven years unless good cause is shown. The bill also introduces administrative penalties for individuals who file false complaints, mandates detailed record-keeping by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and requires timely notifications to judges regarding complaints against them.

Additionally, the bill proposes changes to judges' compensation and retirement benefits, including an increase in the minimum annual base salary for district court judges from $140,000 to $175,000 and adjustments to retirement annuity calculations. It establishes provisions for judges who return to service after retirement, modifies contribution rates for the retirement system, and sets specific timelines for the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to adopt necessary rules. The bill is designed to improve accountability and support for judges while ensuring that the judicial system operates transparently and efficiently. It is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, unless a two-thirds vote for immediate effect is achieved.

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