H.B. No. 1761 aims to enhance judicial accountability and transparency in Texas by amending various sections of the Government Code. Key provisions include a new definition of "wilful or persistent conduct" that encompasses failure to meet statutory or court-ordered deadlines. The bill also introduces administrative penalties for individuals who knowingly file false complaints against judges, with fines ranging from $500 for first offenses to $10,000 for repeat offenses. Additionally, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct is required to maintain detailed records of complaints, notify judges about the status of complaints, and inform relevant state officials when public reprimands are issued.

The bill further stipulates that judges convicted of felonies or misdemeanors involving official misconduct will be suspended without pay during the appeal process. It mandates district court judges to submit quarterly reports on their judicial hours and duties, which will be compiled for state officials. The legislation also raises the minimum annual base salary for district court judges from $140,000 to $161,000 and sets stricter eligibility criteria for retired judges on assignment lists. The definition of "incompetency" is expanded to include persistent or willful violations of legal codes, and the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Texas Supreme Court are tasked with adopting rules to implement these changes, effective September 1, 2025.

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