H.B. No. 2064 seeks to strengthen the disciplinary framework for judges in Texas by amending the Government Code to enhance accountability and transparency within the judicial system. The bill provides a clearer definition of "willful or persistent conduct" that is inconsistent with a judge's duties, explicitly including the failure to meet statutory or court-ordered deadlines. It also introduces a provision that allows the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to impose administrative penalties on individuals who knowingly file false complaints, with penalties increasing based on the number of false complaints. Additionally, the commission is required to maintain detailed records of complaints and notify judges promptly about the status of any complaints against them.

The bill further mandates that judges convicted of felonies or misdemeanors involving official misconduct will be suspended without pay during the appeal process. It requires district court judges to report their judicial hours and activities quarterly, with the Supreme Court responsible for creating rules regarding reporting and penalties for false submissions. The bill also raises the minimum annual base salary for judges to $161,000 and introduces a definition of "incompetency" related to persistent violations of legal codes. Importantly, the provisions will take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to allegations of judicial misconduct received after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 330.001, 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 330, Government Code 834, Government Code 74, Government Code 659, Government Code 814, Government Code 33, Government Code 665)