The bill amends the Government Code to establish new qualifications for masters, magistrates, referees, and associate judges in Texas. It introduces a new Subchapter A under Chapter 54, which specifies that, generally, these judicial appointees must have been licensed to practice law in Texas for at least five years prior to their appointment. However, for certain positions listed in the bill, a minimum of two years of legal practice is required. Additionally, the bill modifies existing qualifications by removing the requirement for some positions to have been licensed for at least four years and instead sets a new standard of five years for others.

The bill also clarifies residency requirements and eliminates previous stipulations that mandated appointees to have served as justices of the peace or municipal court judges. It ensures that the qualifications for appointment are consistent across various sections of the Government Code, while also allowing for the establishment of minimum qualifications by the commissioners court for magistrate positions. The changes will apply only to those appointed after the effective date of the bill, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 54.302, Government Code 54.652, Government Code 54.802, Government Code 54.853, Government Code 33.022, Government Code 54.902, Government Code 54.972, Government Code 54.1173, Government Code 54.1353, Government Code 54.1501, Government Code 54.1804, Government Code 54.1851, Government Code 54.1953, Government Code 54.2202, Government Code 54.2402, Government Code 54.2602, Government Code 54.2702, Government Code 54.2802, Government Code 54.2807 (Government Code 54, Government Code 33)