The bill, S.B. No. 1222, amends various sections of the Government Code to allow for the appointment of former or retired justices of appellate courts as visiting judges in statutory probate courts. Key provisions include the presiding judge's authority to assign a former or retired justice of an appellate court to hear cases in statutory probate courts, alongside existing provisions for former or retired judges of statutory probate courts. The bill outlines eligibility criteria for these appointments, including the requirement that the appointee has not been publicly reprimanded or disqualified and has completed necessary educational requirements.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the daily compensation for a former or retired justice assigned to a statutory probate court will be equivalent to that of a statutory probate court judge in the relevant county. It also establishes that such justices are not considered employees of the county where they are assigned. The changes aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial process in probate courts by expanding the pool of qualified judges available for assignment. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 25.0022, Government Code 25.002201, Government Code 25.00255 (Government Code 25)