H.B. No. 2920 amends the Government Code to streamline the process for appointing special or temporary justices of the peace in Texas. The bill allows a county judge or a designated county employee to appoint a qualified individual to serve as a temporary justice when a justice of the peace is disqualified, sick, or absent. The justice of the peace is required to provide a list of three qualified individuals to the county judge within 30 days of their election or appointment, which can be amended at any time. The bill also specifies the qualifications for temporary justices, including residency in the relevant precinct and completion of relevant training.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the appointment process, removing previous requirements for the county judge to find a qualified voter with judicial experience and instead allowing for a broader pool of candidates who meet specific criteria. It also includes provisions for compensating temporary justices and allows for the appointment of temporary justices in counties with specific population and geographic characteristics. The changes take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 27.055 (Government Code 27)
House Committee Report: Government Code 27.055 (Government Code 27)