The bill, H.B. No. 1928, introduces new provisions regarding the reimbursement of costs associated with the assignment of statutory probate court judges in Texas. Specifically, it adds Section 352.054 to the Estates Code, which mandates that a judge assigned to hear a contested matter must order the estate to reimburse the county for any compensation and expenses incurred, as outlined in Section 25.0022(o-1) of the Government Code. This new section aims to ensure that counties are compensated for the costs associated with judicial assignments in probate proceedings.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 25.0022 of the Government Code by adding Subsection (o-1), which stipulates that if a party files a motion for the assignment of a statutory probate court judge, and the motion is granted, the judge must order reimbursement for the county's expenses from the estate and the parties involved. The judge is also tasked with determining how these costs are to be equitably distributed. The bill clarifies that these provisions apply only to motions filed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 25.0022 (Government Code 25)