S.B. No. 2878 proposes significant amendments to the Government Code to enhance the operation and administration of the judicial branch in Texas. The bill establishes six new judicial districts (490th, 491st, 501st, 502nd, 503rd, and 504th) in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Rockwall, and Ellis Counties, with creation dates set between September 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026. It also modifies the jurisdiction of county courts at law in Atascosa, Bowie, and Hidalgo Counties, expanding their concurrent jurisdiction with district courts. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for the assignment of judges in cases of recusal or disqualification, allowing for the use of former or retired judges, and sets eligibility requirements to ensure they have not faced disciplinary actions.

The bill further revises various aspects of jury service, including stricter qualifications for grand jurors and a permanent exemption for individuals aged 75 and older. It mandates that district clerks maintain a register of those exempted and outlines the process for claiming exemptions. Moreover, it establishes a court security committee to develop security policies for the courts and lowers the population threshold for counties to construct parking facilities near courthouses from 150,000 to 40,000. The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records of exempted or disqualified jurors and ensures that it takes precedence over any conflicting legislation from the 89th Legislature, with an effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 25.0092, Government Code 25.0212, Government Code 25.1102, Government Code 25.1723, Government Code 25.0022, Government Code 25.002201, Government Code 25.00255, Government Code 659.012, Government Code 62.001, Government Code 62.0132, Government Code 62.102, Government Code 62.106, Government Code 62.107, Government Code 62.108, Government Code 62.109, Government Code 62.113, Government Code 13.007, Government Code 62.115, Government Code 57.002, Government Code 74.092, Local Government Code 615.003 (Government Code 25, Government Code 659, Government Code 13, Government Code 62, Government Code 57, Government Code 74, Local Government Code 615)