Senate Resolution No. 695 addresses the legislative process concerning Senate Bill 293, which pertains to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, judicial compensation, and related retirement benefits. The resolution notes that the House of Representatives passed a version of S.B. 293 with amendments, but the Senate President ruled that Section 23 of the House amendments was not relevant to the Senate's version. Consequently, the Senate resolves to concur with the House amendments except for Section 23, proposing to replace it with Section 20 from the Senate version, which amends Section 814.103 of the Government Code.
The proposed amendments in Section 20 clarify that any increase in the state base salary for district judges, as set by the General Appropriations Act, will not affect the retirement annuities of judges who retired before September 1, 2025. It also stipulates that the current salary will continue to apply to these annuities until a future legislature enacts a salary increase. Furthermore, the resolution states that the provisions will expire upon the enactment of such legislation. The resolution concludes by indicating that once the House agrees to the Senate's proposed amendments, both chambers will be in agreement on S.B. 293, allowing the bill to be enrolled.
Statutes affected: Enrolled: Government Code 814.103 (Government Code 814)