SB 2878

S.B. No. 2878
  AN ACT
  relating to the operation and administration of and practices and
  procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state
  government, including court security, court documents and arrest
  warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional
  amendment election challenges, mandatory expunction for certain
  persons, record retention, and youth diversion; increasing a
  criminal penalty; authorizing fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1.  DISTRICT COURTS, DISTRICT CLERKS, AND DISTRICT
  ATTORNEYS
         SECTION 1.01.  Effective January 1, 2027, the heading to
  Section 24.127, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.127.  522ND [SECOND 25TH] JUDICIAL DISTRICT
  ([COLORADO,] GONZALES AND[,] GUADALUPE[, AND LAVACA] COUNTIES).
         SECTION 1.02.  Effective January 1, 2027, Section 24.127(a),
  Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The 522nd [Second 25th] Judicial District is composed of
  [Colorado,] Gonzales and[,] Guadalupe[, and Lavaca] counties.
         SECTION 1.03.  Section 24.360, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.360.  173RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HENDERSON COUNTY).
  (a)  The 173rd Judicial District is composed of Henderson County.
         (b)  The 173rd District Court shall give preference to civil
  and family law matters.
         SECTION 1.04.  Effective January 1, 2026, the heading to
  Section 24.451, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.451.  274TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COMAL[, GUADALUPE,]
  AND HAYS COUNTIES).
         SECTION 1.05.  Effective January 1, 2026, Sections 24.451(a)
  and (c), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The 274th Judicial District is composed of Comal[,
  Guadalupe,] and Hays counties.
         (c)  The 274th District Court has the same jurisdiction as
  the 22nd and the 207th district courts in Comal and Hays counties
  [and concurrent jurisdiction with the 25th and Second 25th district
  courts in Guadalupe County].
         SECTION 1.06.  Section 24.537, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  The 392nd District Court shall give preference to
  criminal cases.
         SECTION 1.07.  Section 24.591(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a district court
  in all criminal and civil matters, including family matters, except
  the county clerk serves as clerk of a district court in Class A and
  Class B misdemeanor cases, juvenile matters, probate matters, and
  guardianship matters. Each clerk shall establish a separate docket
  for a district court [All civil and criminal matters within the
  concurrent jurisdiction of the county and district courts must be
  filed with the county clerk in the county court.  The county clerk
  serves as the clerk of the district court for those matters].
         SECTION 1.08.  (a)  Effective September 1, 2026, Subchapter
  C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section
  24.60035 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60035.  490TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (BRAZORIA COUNTY).  
  The 490th Judicial District is composed of Brazoria County.
         (b)  The 490th Judicial District is created on September 1,
  2026.
         SECTION 1.09.  (a)  Effective September 1, 2026, Subchapter
  C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section
  24.60037 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60037.  492ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COLORADO AND LAVACA
  COUNTIES).  The 492nd Judicial District is composed of Colorado and
  Lavaca counties.
         (b)  The 492nd Judicial District is created on September 1,
  2026.
         SECTION 1.10.  Section 24.60043(d), Government Code, as
  effective October 1, 2025, is amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The district clerk serves as the clerk of a district
  court in all criminal and civil matters, including family matters,
  except the county clerk serves as the clerk of a district court in
  Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases, juvenile matters, probate
  matters, and guardianship matters. Each clerk shall establish a
  separate docket for a district court [All civil and criminal
  matters within the concurrent jurisdiction of the county and
  district courts must be filed with the county clerk in the county
  court.  The county clerk serves as the clerk of the district court
  for those matters].
         SECTION 1.11.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Sections 24.60046 and 24.60047 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 24.60046.  501ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY).  
  The 501st Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County.
         Sec. 24.60047.  502ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT (FORT BEND COUNTY).  
  The 502nd Judicial District is composed of Fort Bend County.
         (b)  The 501st and 502nd Judicial Districts are created on
  September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 1.12.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60048 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60048.  503RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ROCKWALL COUNTY).  
  The 503rd Judicial District is composed of Rockwall County.
         (b)  The 503rd Judicial District is created on September 1,
  2025.
         SECTION 1.13.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60049 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60049.  504TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (ELLIS COUNTY).  The
  504th Judicial District is composed of Ellis County.
         (b)  The 504th Judicial District is created on September 1,
  2025.
         SECTION 1.14.  (a)  Effective September 1, 2026, Subchapter
  C, Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Section
  24.60053 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60053.  511TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (COMAL COUNTY).  The
  511th Judicial District is composed of Comal County.
         (b)  The 511th Judicial District is created on September 1,
  2026.
         SECTION 1.15.  (a)  Subchapter C, Chapter 24, Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 24.60054 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60054.  512TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (WILLIAMSON
  COUNTY).  The 512th Judicial District is composed of Williamson
  County.
         (b)  The 512th Judicial District is created on September 1,
  2025.
         SECTION 1.16.  (a)  Effective October 1, 2025, Subchapter C,
  Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections
  24.60055, 24.60056, and 24.60057 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60055.  513TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY).
  (a)  The 513th Judicial District is composed of Harris County.
         (b)  The 513th District Court shall give preference to civil
  cases.
         Sec. 24.60056.  514TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY).
  (a)  The 514th Judicial District is composed of Harris County.
         (b)  The 514th District Court shall give preference to civil
  cases.
         Sec. 24.60057.  515TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY).
  (a)  The 515th Judicial District is composed of Harris County.
         (b)  The 515th District Court shall give preference to civil
  cases.
         (b)  The 513th, 514th, and 515th District Courts are created
  on October 1, 2025.
         SECTION 1.17.  (a)  Effective October 1, 2026, Subchapter C,
  Chapter 24, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 24.60058
  and 24.60059 to read as follows:
         Sec. 24.60058.  516TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY).
  (a)  The 516th Judicial District is composed of Harris County.
         (b)  The 516th District Court shall give preference to civil
  cases.
         Sec. 24.60059.  517TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT (HARRIS COUNTY).
  (a)  The 517th Judicial District is composed of Harris County.
         (b)  The 517th District Court shall give preference to civil
  cases.
         (b)  The 516th and 517th District Courts are created on
  October 1, 2026.
         SECTION 1.18.  Section 24.911, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:
         (a-2)  Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 2 shall
  give preference to criminal cases.
         SECTION 1.19.  Section 24.913, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
         (e)  Tarrant County Criminal District Court No. 4 shall give
  preference to criminal cases.
         SECTION 1.20.  Effective September 1, 2028, Section 43.101,
  Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.101.  1ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT.  The voters of [Sabine
  and] San Augustine County [counties] elect a district attorney for
  the 1st Judicial District who represents the state in the [that]
  district courts in that county [court only in those counties].
         SECTION 1.21.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2029, Subchapter B,
  Chapter 43, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 43.1742
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.1742.  273RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT.  The voters of
  Sabine County elect a district attorney for the 273rd Judicial
  District who represents the state in the district courts in that
  county.
         (b)  The office of district attorney for the 273rd Judicial
  District is created on September 1, 2028.
         SECTION 1.22.  Effective January 1, 2029, Section 43.177,
  Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.177.  293RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT.  (a) The voters of
  Maverick County [the 293rd Judicial District] elect a district
  attorney who represents the state in all cases before the [that]
  district court.
         (b)  The commissioners court of Maverick County [one or more
  of the counties comprising the district] may supplement the state
  salary of the district attorney and[.  The commissioners court of
  each county may] set the amount of supplemental compensation paid
  by that county.
         (c)  The district attorney of the 293rd Judicial District
  also represents the state in all criminal and civil matters that
  arise in the 365th Judicial District in Maverick County.
         SECTION 1.23.  (a)  Effective January 1, 2029, Subchapter B,
  Chapter 43, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 43.1812
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 43.1812.  365TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT.  The voters of
  Dimmit and Zavala Counties elect a district attorney for the 365th
  Judicial District who represents the state in all civil and
  criminal matters in the district courts having jurisdiction in
  those counties.
         (b)  The office of district attorney for the 365th Judicial
  District is created on January 1, 2029.
         (c)  The office of district attorney for the 365th Judicial
  District exists for purposes of the primary and general elections
  in 2028.
         SECTION 1.24.  Effective January 1, 2029, Section 46.002,
  Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 46.002.  PROSECUTORS SUBJECT TO CHAPTER.  This chapter
  applies to the state prosecuting attorney, all county prosecutors,
  and the following state prosecutors:
               (1)  the district attorneys for Kenedy and Kleberg
  Counties and for the 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 24th,
  26th, 27th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, 38th, 39th,
  42nd, 43rd, 46th, 47th, 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 63rd, 64th,
  66th, 69th, 70th, 76th, 79th, 81st, 83rd, 84th, 85th, 88th, 90th,
  97th, 100th, 105th, 106th, 109th, 110th, 112th, 118th, 119th,
  123rd, 132nd, 142nd, 143rd, 145th, 156th, 159th, 173rd, 196th,
  198th, 216th, 220th, 229th, 235th, 253rd, 258th, 259th, 266th,
  268th, 271st, 273rd, 286th, 287th, 329th, 344th, 349th, 355th,
  369th, 452nd, and 506th judicial districts;
               (2)  the criminal district attorneys for the counties
  of Anderson, Austin, Bastrop, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Caldwell,
  Calhoun, Cass, Collin, Comal, Dallas, Deaf Smith, Denton, Eastland,
  Fannin, Galveston, Grayson, Gregg, Harrison, Hays, Hidalgo,
  Jasper, Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Lubbock, McLennan, Madison,
  Medina, Navarro, Newton, Panola, Polk, Randall, Rockwall, San
  Jacinto, Smith, Tarrant, Taylor, Tyler, Upshur, Van Zandt,
  Victoria, Walker, Waller, Wichita, Wood, and Yoakum; and
               (3)  the county attorneys performing the duties of
  district attorneys in the counties of Andrews, Aransas, Burleson,
  Callahan, Cameron, Castro, Colorado, Crosby, Ellis, Falls,
  Fayette, Freestone, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Lamar, Lamb, Lampasas,
  Lavaca, Lee, Limestone, Marion, Milam, Morris, Ochiltree, Oldham,
  Orange, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rusk, Swisher, Terry, Webb,
  and Willacy.
         SECTION 1.25.  Effective January 1, 2026, the following
  provisions of the Government Code are repealed:
               (1)  Sections 24.126(b) and (d);
               (2)  Sections 24.127(b) and (c); and
               (3)  Section 24.451(b).
  ARTICLE 2.  STATUTORY COUNTY COURTS
         SECTION 2.01.  Sections 22.004(b) and (h-1), Government
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The supreme court from time to time may promulgate a
  specific rule or rules of civil procedure, or an amendment or
  amendments to a specific rule or rules, to be effective at the time
  the supreme court deems expedient in the interest of a proper
  administration of justice.  The rules and amendments to rules
  remain in effect unless and until disapproved by the
  legislature.  The clerk of the supreme court shall file with the
  secretary of state the rules or amendments to rules promulgated by
  the supreme court under this subsection and shall provide [mail] a
  copy of those rules or amendments to rules to each registered member
  of the State Bar of Texas not later than the 60th day before the date
  on which they become effective.  On receiving a written request
  from a member of the legislature, the secretary of state shall
  provide the member with electronic notifications when the supreme
  court has promulgated rules or amendments to rules under this
  section.
         (h-1)  In addition to the rules adopted under Subsection (h),
  the supreme court shall adopt rules to promote the prompt,
  efficient, and cost-effective resolution of civil actions filed in
  county courts at law in which the amount in controversy does not
  exceed $325,000 [$250,000].  The rules shall balance the need for
  lowering discovery costs in these actions against the complexity of
  and discovery needs in these actions.  The supreme court may not
  adopt rules under this subsection that conflict with other
  statutory law.
         SECTION 2.02.  Section 25.0003(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a
  statutory county court exercising civil jurisdiction concurrent
  with the constitutional jurisdiction of the county court has
  concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
               (1)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
  exceeds $500 but does not exceed $325,000 [$250,000], excluding
  interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and
  attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition;
  and
               (2)  appeals of final rulings and decisions of the
  division of workers' compensation of the Texas Department of
  Insurance regarding workers' compensation claims, regardless of
  the amount in controversy.
         SECTION 2.03.  Section 25.0007(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  In a civil case pending in a statutory county court in
  which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000 [$250,000], the
  jury shall be composed of 12 members unless all of the parties agree
  to a jury composed of a lesser number of jurors.
         SECTION 2.04.  Section 25.00212, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  At the end of each state fiscal year, the comptroller
  shall determine:
               (1)  the amounts deposited in the judicial fund under
  Section 133.151(c)(1), Local Government Code, from [by] statutory
  probate courts fees remitted under Section 133.151(a)(1), Local
  Government Code, either:
                     (A)  directly to the treasury by the Office of
  Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System for fees paid
  using the electronic filing system established under Section
  72.031; or
                     (B)  to the comptroller in the manner provided by
  Subchapter B, Chapter 133, Local Government Code, for fees paid to
  an officer of a court; and
               (2)  the sum of the amount paid under Section
  25.0022(e) and the total amounts paid to the counties under Section
  25.00211.
         (a-1)  If the comptroller determines the total amount
  deposited in the judicial fund by statutory probate courts in all
  counties as calculated under Subsection (a)(1) exceeds the sum
  calculated under Subsection (a)(2) [that sum], the comptroller
  [state] shall remit the excess proportionately to each county that
  contributed [deposited] a greater amount to [in] the judicial fund
  from fees collected by a statutory probate court than the amount the
  county was paid under Section 25.00211, as adjusted in an equitable
  manner to reflect the differences in the total amounts paid to the
  counties under Section 25.00211.
         SECTION 2.05.  Section 25.0022(f), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (f)  Each county pays annually to the presiding judge, from
  fees allocated to the judicial education and support fund under
  [collected pursuant to] Section 135.102 [118.052(2)(A)(vi)], Local
  Government Code, the amount of the salary apportioned [to it] as
  provided by this section and the other expenses authorized by this
  section.  The presiding judge shall place each county's payment of
  salary and other expenses in an administrative fund, from which the
  salary and other expenses are paid.  The salary shall be paid in
  equal monthly installments.
         SECTION 2.06.  Section 25.0062(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The district clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
  law in felony cases, in family law cases and proceedings, and in
  civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $325,000
  [$250,000].  The county clerk serves as clerk of a county court at
  law in all other cases.  The district clerk shall establish a
  separate docket for a county court at law.  The commissioners court
  shall provide the deputy clerks, bailiffs, and other personnel
  necessary to operate a county court at law.
         SECTION 2.07.  (a)  Section 25.0092, Government Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection
  (c-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
  25.0003 and other law, and except as limited by Subsection (b), a
  county court at law in Atascosa County has concurrent jurisdiction
  with the district court in:
               (1)  Class A and Class B misdemeanor cases;
               (2)  family law matters;
               (3)  juvenile matters;
               (4)  probate matters; [and]
               (5)  appeals from the justice and municipal courts; and
               (6)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
  exceeds the maximum amount provided by Section 25.0003 but does not
  exceed $1 million, excluding interest, statutory or punitive
  damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on
  the face of the petition, including:
                     (A)  a suit to decide the issue of title to real or
  personal property;
                     (B)  a suit for the enforcement of a lien on real
  property;
                     (C)  a suit for the trial of the right to property
  valued at $500 or more that has been levied on under a writ of
  execution, sequestration, or attachment; and
                     (D)  a suit for the recovery of real property.
         (c-1)  In addition to other assignments provided by law, a
  judge of the county court at law in Atascosa County is subject to
  assignment under Chapter 74 to any district court in Atascosa
  County.  A county court at law judge assigned to a district court
  may hear any matter pending in the district court.
         (d)  The judge of a county court at law shall be paid as
  provided by Section 25.0005 [a total annual salary set by the
  commissioners court at an amount that is not less than $1,000 less
  than the total annual salary received by a district judge in the
  county.  A district judge's or statutory county court judge's total
  annual salary does not include contributions and supplements paid
  by a county].
         (b)  Section 25.0092(a), Government Code, as amended by this
  section, applies only to a case filed or proceeding commenced on or
  after the effective date of this Act.  A case filed or proceeding
  commenced before that date is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the case was filed or the proceeding was commenced, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 2.08.  Section 25.0212, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (f) and adding Subsections
  (i) and (j) to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
  25.0003 and other law and except as limited by Subsection (b), a
  county court at law in Bowie County has, concurrent with the
  district court, the jurisdiction provided by the constitution and
  by general law for district courts, including concurrent
  jurisdiction in:
               (1)  specialty court programs;
               (2)  misdemeanor cases;
               (3)  family law cases and proceedings, including
  juvenile matters; and
               (4)  probate and guardianship matters.
         (b)  A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:
               (1)  felony criminal matters;
               (2)  suits on behalf of the state to recover penalties
  or escheated property;
               (3)  misdemeanors involving official misconduct;
               (4)  contested elections; or
               (5)  civil cases in which the matter in controversy
  exceeds the amount provided in Section 25.0003 [$200,000],
  excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties,
  and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the
  petition.
         (f)  The [commissioners court may authorize the judge of a
  county court at law to set the] official court reporter of a county
  court at law is entitled to compensation, fees, and allowances in
  amounts equal to the amounts paid to the official court reporters
  serving the district courts in Bowie County, including an annual
  salary set by the judge of the county court at law and approved by
  the commissioners court [reporter's salary].
         (i)  The jury in all civil or criminal matters is composed of
  12 members, except in misdemeanor criminal cases and any other case
  in which the court has concurrent jurisdiction with county courts
  under Section 25.0003(a), the jury is composed of six members.
         (j)  In matters of concurrent jurisdiction, a judge of a
  county court at law and a judge of a district court with
  jurisdiction in Bowie County may transfer cases between the courts
  in the same manner that judges of district courts may transfer cases
  under Section 24.003.
         SECTION 2.09.  (a)  Section 25.1031(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Harris County has the following county civil courts at
  law:
               (1)  County Civil Court at Law No. 1 of Harris County,
  Texas;
               (2)  County Civil Court at Law No. 2 of Harris County,
  Texas;
               (3)  County Civil Court at Law No. 3 of Harris County,
  Texas; [and]
               (4)  County Civil Court at Law No. 4 of Harris County,
  Texas; and
               (5)  County Civil Court at Law No. 5 of Harris County,
  Texas.
         (b)  The County Civil Court at Law No. 5 of Harris County is
  created on September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 2.10.  (a)  Effective September 1, 2026, Section
  25.1101(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Hidalgo County has the following statutory probate
  courts:
               (1)  [one statutory probate court, the] Probate Court
  No. 1 of Hidalgo County; and
               (2)  Probate Court No. 2 of Hidalgo County.
         (b)  On September 1, 2026:
               (1)  Probate Court No. 2 of Hidalgo County is created;
  and
               (2)  the Probate Court of Hidalgo County is
  redesignated as Probate Court No. 1 of Hidalgo County.
         SECTION 2.11.  (a)  Section 25.1102(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
  25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Hidalgo County has
  concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in:
               (1)  family law cases and proceedings; and
               (2)  civil cases [in which the matter in controversy
  does not exceed $750,000, excluding interest, statutory or punitive
  damages and penalties, and attorney's fees and costs, as alleged on
  the page of the petition].
         (b)  Section 25.1102(a), Government Code, as amended by this
  section, applies only to an action filed in a county court at law in
  Hidalgo County on or after the effective date of this Act.  An
  action filed in a county court at law in Hidalgo County before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the action was filed, and the former law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 2.12.  Section 25.1902(b-1), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b-1)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by
  Subsections (a) and (b), the county courts at law in [County Court
  at Law No. 1 of] Potter County have [has] concurrent jurisdiction
  with the district court in felony cases to conduct arraignments,
  conduct pretrial hearings, and accept pleas in uncontested matters.
         SECTION 2.13.  Section 25.2282, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (b) to read as follows:
         (b)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
  25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Tom Green County has
  concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in family law cases
  and proceedings.
         SECTION 2.14.  Sections 25.2452(b), (c), (d), and (e),
  Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  All misdemeanor cases, probate and mental health
  matters, proceedings under the Estates Code, and appeals from
  municipal courts of record shall be filed in the county court at
  law.  A county court at law may transfer a case or an appeal
  described by this subsection to the county court with the consent of
  the county judge.
         (c)  Except as provided by Section 25.0003 and Subsection
  (d), a county court at law has concurrent jurisdiction with the
  district court in:
               (1)  family law cases and proceedings under the Family
  Code; [and]
               (2)  civil cases in which the amount in controversy
  exceeds $500 but does not exceed $200,000, excluding interest,
  exemplary damages, penalties, attorney's fees, and court costs; and
               (3)  appeals from the justice courts.
         (d)  A county court at law does not have jurisdiction of:
               (1)  a case under:
                     (A)  the Alcoholic Beverage Code;
                     (B)  the Election Code; or
                     (C)  the Tax Code; or
               (2)  a matter over which the district court has
  exclusive jurisdiction[; or
               [(3)  a civil case, other than a case under the Family
  Code or the Estates Code, in which the amount in controversy is:
                     [(A)  less than the maximum amount in controversy
  allowed the justice court in Wichita County; or
                     [(B)  more than $200,000, exclusive of punitive or
  exemplary damages, penalties, interest, costs, and attorney's
  fees].
         (e)  On the motion of any party, a county court at law may
  transfer a civil case originally filed in a county court at law that
  exceeds the maximum amount in controversy described by Subsection
  (c)(2) [(d)(3)(B)] to the district court in Wichita County, except
  that an announcement of ready for trial by all parties before a
  motion to transfer the case to the district court is filed confers
  original jurisdiction on the county court at law.  A case that is
  transferred to the district court shall be completed under the same
  cause number and in the same manner as if the case were originally
  filed in the district court.
         SECTION 2.15.  Section 25.2704(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section
  25.0003 and other law, the 2nd Multicounty Court at Law has
  concurrent jurisdiction with the district courts, including
  [except] in civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds
  the maximum amount provided by Section 25.0003(c)(1).
         SECTION 2.16.  (a)  Sections 25.0212(d) and 25.1723(c),
  Government Code, are repealed.
         (b)  Section 25.1723(c), Government Code, as repealed by
  this section, applies only to an action filed on or after September
  1, 2025.  An action filed before that date is governed by the law in
  effect immediately before that date, and that law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 2.17.  Sections 25.0003(c), 25.0007(c), and
  25.0062(b), Government Code, as amended by this article, apply only
  to a civil case filed in a statutory county court on or after
  September 1, 2025.  A civil case filed in a statutory county court
  before that date is governed by the law in effect immediately before
  that date, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 2.18.  Section 25.00212, Government Code, as amended
  by this article, applies to amounts deposited in the judicial fund
  under Section 133.151(c)(1), Local Government Code, from fees
  collected by a statutory probate court before, on, or after
  September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 2.19.  Section 25.2282, Government Code, as amended
  by this article, applies only to a case filed or proceeding
  commenced on or after September 1, 2025.  A case filed or proceeding
  commenced before that date is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the action was filed, and the former law is continued in effect
  for that purpose.
         SECTION 2.20.  Section 25.2452, Government Code, as amended
  by this article, applies only to an action filed in a county court
  at law in Wichita County on or after September 1, 2025.  An action
  filed in a county court at law in Wichita County before that date is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the action was filed, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 2.21.  Section 25.2704(a), Government Code, as
  amended by this article, applies only to a case filed or proceeding
  commenced on or after September 1, 2025.  A case filed or proceeding
  commenced before that date is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the case was filed or the proceeding was commenced, and the
  former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
  ARTICLE 3.  VISITING JUDGES
         SECTION 3.01.  Sections 25.0022(d), (h), (k), (o), (t), (u),
  and (w), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The presiding judge shall:
               (1)  ensure the promulgation of local rules of
  administration in accordance with policies and guidelines set by
  the supreme court;
               (2)  advise local statutory probate court judges on
  case flow management practices and auxiliary court services;
               (3)  perform a duty of a local administrative statutory
  probate court judge if the local administrative judge does not
  perform that duty;
               (4)  appoint an assistant presiding judge of the
  statutory probate courts;
               (5)  call and preside over annual meetings of the
  judges of the statutory probate courts at a time and place in the
  state as designated by the presiding judge;
               (6)  call and convene other meetings of the judges of
  the statutory probate courts as considered necessary by the
  presiding judge to promote the orderly and efficient administration
  of justice in the statutory probate courts;
               (7)  study available statistics reflecting the
  condition of the dockets of the probate courts in the state to
  determine the need for the assignment of judges under this section;
               (8)  compare local rules of court to achieve uniformity
  of rules to the extent practical and consistent with local
  conditions;
               (9)  assign or order the clerk who serves the statutory
  probate courts to randomly assign a judge or former or retired judge
  of a statutory probate court or a former or retired justice of an
  appellate court to hear a case under Section 25.002201(a) or
  25.00255, as applicable; and
               (10)  require the local administrative judge for
  statutory probate courts in a county to ensure that all statutory
  probate courts in the county comply with Chapter 37.
         (h)  Subject to Section 25.002201, a judge or a former or
  retired judge of a statutory probate court or a former or retired
  justice of an appellate court may be assigned by the presiding judge
  of the statutory probate courts to hold court in a statutory probate
  court, a county court, or any statutory court exercising probate
  jurisdiction when:
               (1)  a statutory probate judge requests assignment of
  another judge to the judge's court;
               (2)  a statutory probate judge is absent, disabled, or
  disqualified for any reason;
               (3)  a statutory probate judge is present or is trying
  cases as authorized by the constitution and laws of this state and
  the condition of the court's docket makes it necessary to appoint an
  additional judge;
               (4)  the office of a statutory probate judge is vacant;
               (5)  the presiding judge of an administrative judicial
  district requests the assignment of a statutory probate judge to
  hear a probate matter in a county court or statutory county court;
               (6)  the statutory probate judge is recused or
  disqualified as described by Section 25.002201(a);
               (7)  a county court judge requests the assignment of a
  statutory probate judge to hear a probate matter in the county
  court; or
               (8)  a local administrative statutory probate court
  judge requests the assignment of a statutory probate judge to hear a
  matter in a statutory probate court.
         (k)  The daily compensation of a former or retired judge or
  justice for purposes of this section is set at an amount equal to
  the daily compensation of a judge of a statutory probate court in
  the county in which the former or retired judge or justice is
  assigned.  A former or retired judge or justice assigned to a county
  that does not have a statutory probate court shall be paid an amount
  equal to the daily compensation of a judge of a statutory probate
  court in the county where the assigned judge or justice was last
  elected.
         (o)  The county in which the assigned judge served shall pay
  out of the general fund of the county:
               (1)  expenses certified under Subsection (m) to the
  assigned judge; and
               (2)  the salary certified under Subsection (m) to the
  county in which the assigned judge serves, or, if the assigned judge
  is a former or retired judge or justice, to the assigned judge.
         (t)  To be eligible for assignment under this section, a
  former or retired judge of a statutory probate court or a former or
  retired justice of an appellate court must:
               (1)  not have been removed from office;
               (2)  certify under oath to the presiding judge, on a
  form prescribed by the state board of regional judges, that:
                     (A)  the judge or justice has not been publicly
  reprimanded or censured by the State Commission on Judicial
  Conduct; and
                     (B)  the judge or justice:
                           (i)  did not resign or retire from office
  after the State Commission on Judicial Conduct notified the judge
  or justice of the commencement of a full investigation into an
  allegation or appearance of misconduct or disability of the judge
  or justice as provided in Section 33.022 and before the final
  disposition of that investigation; or
                           (ii)  if the judge or justice did resign from
  office under circumstances described by Subparagraph (i), was not
  publicly reprimanded or censured as a result of the investigation;
               (3)  annually demonstrate that the judge or justice has
  completed in the past state fiscal year the educational
  requirements for an active statutory probate court judge;
               (4)  have served as an active judge or justice for at
  least 72 months in a district, statutory probate, statutory county,
  or appellate court; and
               (5)  have developed substantial experience in the
  judge's or justice's area of specialty.
         (u)  In addition to the eligibility requirements under
  Subsection (t), to be eligible for assignment under this section in
  the judge's or justice's county of residence, a former or retired
  judge of a statutory probate court or a former or retired justice of
  an appellate court must certify to the presiding judge a
  willingness not to:
               (1)  appear and plead as an attorney in any court in the
  judge's county of residence for a period of two years; and
               (2)  accept appointment as a guardian ad litem,
  guardian of the estate of an incapacitated person, or guardian of
  the person of an incapacitated person in any court in the judge's or
  justice's county of residence for a period of two years.
         (w)  A former or retired judge or justice who is assigned
  under this section is not an employee of the county in which the
  assigned court is located.
         SECTION 3.02.  Section 25.002201, Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.002201.  ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGE ON RECUSAL OR
  DISQUALIFICATION.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), not
  later than the 15th day after the date an order of recusal or
  disqualification of a statutory probate court judge is issued in a
  case, the presiding judge shall assign a statutory probate court
  judge or a former or retired judge of a statutory probate court or a
  former or retired justice of an appellate court to hear the case if:
               (1)  the judge of the statutory probate court recused
  himself or herself under Section 25.00255(g)(1)(A);
               (2)  the judge of the statutory probate court
  disqualified himself or herself under Section 25.00255(g-1);
               (3)  the order was issued under Section
  25.00255(i-3)(1); or
               (4)  the presiding judge receives notice and a request
  for assignment from the clerk of the statutory probate court under
  Section 25.00255(l).
         (b)  If the judge who is the subject of an order of recusal or
  disqualification is the presiding judge of the statutory probate
  courts, the chief justice of the supreme court shall assign a
  statutory probate judge, [or] a former or retired judge of a
  statutory probate court, or a former or retired justice of an
  appellate court to hear the case.
         SECTION 3.03.  Section 25.00255, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (b) and (c) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding any conflicting provision in the Texas
  Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 18a and 18b, Texas Rules of Civil
  Procedure, apply to the recusal and disqualification of a statutory
  probate court judge except as otherwise provided by this section or
  another provision of this subchapter.  The presiding judge:
               (1)  has the authority and shall perform the functions
  and duties of the presiding judge of the administrative judicial
  region under the rules, including the duty to hear or rule on a
  referred motion of recusal or disqualification or, subject to
  Subdivisions (2) and (3), assign a judge to hear and rule on a
  referred motion of recusal or disqualification;
               (2)  may assign a presiding judge of the administrative
  judicial region to hear and rule on a referred motion of recusal or
  disqualification only with the consent of the presiding judge of
  the administrative judicial region;
               (3)  may not assign a judge of a statutory probate court
  located in the same county as the statutory probate court served by
  the judge who is the subject of the motion of recusal or
  disqualification; and
               (4)  if the presiding judge is the subject of the motion
  of recusal or disqualification, shall sign and file with the clerk
  an order referring the motion to the chief justice of the supreme
  court for assignment of a presiding judge of an administrative
  judicial region, a statutory probate court judge, [or] a former or
  retired judge of a statutory probate court, or a former or retired
  justice of an appellate court to hear and rule on the motion,
  subject to Subdivisions (2) and (3).
         (b)  The presiding judge may deny a motion of recusal or
  disqualification that does not comply with Rule 18a, Texas Rules of
  Civil Procedure, without a hearing.  An order denying a motion under
  this subsection must state the manner in which the motion fails to
  comply with that rule.
         (c)  A motion of recusal or disqualification that does not
  comply with Rule 18a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, is a motion or
  disqualification for the purpose of determining whether a tertiary
  recusal motion has been filed under Section 25.00256, regardless of
  whether the motion was amended after filing.
         SECTION 3.04.  Section 74.003(e), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  A retired justice or judge assigned as provided by this
  section is entitled to receive, pro rata for the time serving on
  assignment, from money appropriated from the general revenue fund
  for that purpose, an amount equal to the compensation received from
  state and county sources by a justice of the court of appeals to
  which assigned.  A former justice or judge assigned as provided by
  this section is entitled to receive, pro rata for the time serving
  on assignment, from money appropriated from the general revenue
  fund for that purpose, an amount equal to the compensation from the
  state received by a justice of the court of appeals to which
  assigned, and from county sources, an amount equal to the
  compensation received from county sources by a justice of the court
  of appeals to which assigned.  For purposes of determining the
  amount to be paid to a former or retired justice or judge under this
  subsection, the compensation received from the state by a justice
  of the court of appeals to which the retired justice or judge is
  assigned is the amount equal to the state [base] salary paid to a
  justice of that court of appeals with eight years of service [as set
  by the General Appropriations Act] in accordance with Section
  659.012(b)(2) [659.012(a)].
         SECTION 3.05.  Section 74.046(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A presiding judge may appoint a judicial mentor or
  arrange for additional administrative personnel to be assigned to a
  court identified by the Office of Court Administration of the Texas
  Judicial System as needing additional assistance under Section
  72.024(b-1).  A former or retired judge or justice assigned as a
  judicial mentor under this subsection is entitled to the same
  salary, compensation, and expenses under Section 74.061 that the
  judge or justice would be entitled to if the judge or justice had
  been assigned under this chapter to serve as the judge of a trial
  court in the administrative judicial region of the court to which
  the judge or justice is assigned as a judicial mentor.
         SECTION 3.06.  Section 74.059, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  A judge assigned under the provisions of this chapter
  to a court that sits in a county located in the Texas-Mexico border
  region, as defined by Section 2056.002(e), may conduct a
  proceeding, other than a trial, or perform a judicial action from
  any location in this state using videoconference, teleconference,
  or other available electronic means if authorized by the order of
  assignment.
         SECTION 3.07.  Section 74.061, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (h), (i), and (k) and adding Subsection
  (k-1) to read as follows:
         (h)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c), the salary from the
  state of a retired judge or justice assigned to a district court is
  determined pro rata based on the sum of the regular judge's salary
  from the county plus the amount of the state [base] salary paid to a
  district judge with eight years of service [as set by the General
  Appropriations Act] in accordance with Section 659.012(b)(2)
  [659.012(a)].
         (i)  Notwithstanding Subsection (d), the salary from the
  state of a former judge or justice assigned to a district court is
  determined pro rata based on the amount of the state [base] salary
  paid to a district judge with eight years of service [as set by the
  General Appropriations Act] in accordance with Section
  659.012(b)(2) [659.012(a)].
         (k)  Except as provided by Subsection (k-1) and
  notwithstanding [Notwithstanding] any other provision of law, a
  former, retired, or active judge is not entitled to compensation
  paid by the state when the judge sits as an assigned judge for a
  statutory county court.
         (k-1)  Notwithstanding any other provision, a former or
  retired judge or justice assigned under this chapter to a
  constitutional county court in a county located in the Texas-Mexico
  border region, as defined by Section 2056.002(e), is entitled to
  compensation from the state in an amount equal to the maximum salary
  a district judge may receive from county and state sources under
  Section 659.012(a) if the presiding judge of the administrative
  judicial region in which the county lies certifies that exigent
  circumstances require the assignment.
         SECTION 3.08.  This article takes effect immediately if this
  Act receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each
  house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate
  effect, this article takes effect September 1, 2025.
  ARTICLE 4.  MASTERS, MAGISTRATES, REFEREES, AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES
         SECTION 4.01.  Article 2A.151, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Art. 2A.151.  TYPES OF MAGISTRATES.  The following officers
  are magistrates for purposes of this code:
               (1)  a justice of the supreme court;
               (2)  a judge of the court of criminal appeals;
               (3)  a justice of the courts of appeals;
               (4)  a judge of a district court;
               (5)  an associate judge appointed by:
                     (A)  a judge of a district court or a statutory
  county court that gives preference to criminal cases in Jefferson
  County;
                     (B)  a judge of a district court or a statutory
  county court of Brazos County, Nueces County, or Williamson County;
  [or]
                     (C)  a judge of a district court under Chapter
  54A, Government Code; or
                     (D)  a judge of a district court under Subchapter
  B, Chapter 54B, Government Code;
               (6)  a criminal magistrate appointed by:
                     (A)  the Bell County Commissioners Court;
                     (B)  the Brazoria County Commissioners Court; or
                     (C) [(B)]  the Burnet County Commissioners Court;
               (7)  a criminal law hearing officer for:
                     (A)  Harris County appointed under Subchapter L,
  Chapter 54, Government Code; or
                     (B)  Cameron County appointed under Subchapter
  BB, Chapter 54, Government Code;
               (8)  a magistrate appointed:
                     (A)  by a judge of a district court of Bexar
  County, Dallas County, or Tarrant County that gives preference to
  criminal cases;
                     (B)  by a judge of a criminal district court of
  Dallas County or Tarrant County;
                     (C)  by a judge of a district court or statutory
  county court of Denton or Grayson County;  
                     (D)  by a judge of a district court or statutory
  county court that gives preference to criminal cases in Travis
  County;
                     (E) [(D)]  by the El Paso Council of Judges;
                     (F) [(E)]  by the Fort Bend County Commissioners
  Court;
                     (G) [(F)]  by the Collin County Commissioners
  Court; or
                     (H) [(G)]  under Subchapter JJ, Chapter 54,
  Government Code;
               (9)  a magistrate or associate judge appointed by a
  judge of a district court of Lubbock County, Nolan County, or Webb
  County;
               (10)  a county judge;
               (11)  a judge of:
                     (A)  a statutory county court;
                     (B)  a county criminal court; or
                     (C)  a statutory probate court;
               (12)  an associate judge appointed by a judge of a
  statutory probate court under Chapter 54A, Government Code;
               (13)  a justice of the peace; and
               (14)  a mayor or recorder of a municipality or a judge
  of a municipal court.
         SECTION 4.02.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter A to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 54.001.  QUALIFICATIONS.  (a)  Except as provided by
  Subsection (b) or another provision of this chapter and in addition
  to any other qualification required by law, a master, magistrate,
  referee, or associate judge appointed under this chapter must have
  been licensed to practice law in this state for at least five years
  before the date of appointment.
         (b)  A master, magistrate, referee, or associate judge
  appointed under the following provisions of this chapter must have
  been licensed to practice law in this state for at least two years
  before the date of appointment:
               (1)  Section 54.991;
               (2)  Section 54.1231;
               (3)  Section 54.1501;
               (4)  Section 54.1851;
               (5)  Section 54.2001;
               (6)  Section 54.2301; or
               (7)  Section 54.2802.
         SECTION 4.03.  Chapter 54, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter EE to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER EE.  BELL COUNTY CRIMINAL MAGISTRATES
         Sec. 54.1601.  APPOINTMENT.  (a)  The Commissioners Court of
  Bell County may select magistrates to serve the courts of Bell
  County having jurisdiction in criminal matters.
         (b)  The commissioners court shall establish the minimum
  qualifications, salary, benefits, and other compensation of each
  magistrate position and shall determine whether the position is
  full-time or part-time.  Notwithstanding another provision of this
  chapter, to be eligible for appointment under this subchapter, a
  person must have been licensed to practice law in this state and in
  good standing with the State Bar of Texas for at least two years.
         (c)  A magistrate appointed under this section serves at the
  pleasure of the commissioners court.
         Sec. 54.1602.  JURISDICTION.  A magistrate has concurrent
  criminal jurisdiction with the judges of the justice of the peace
  courts of Bell County.
         Sec. 54.1603.  POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The Commissioners
  Court of Bell County shall establish the powers and duties of a
  magistrate appointed under this subchapter.  Except as otherwise
  provided by the commissioners court, a magistrate has the powers of
  a magistrate under the Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws of
  this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.
         (b)  A magistrate shall give preference to performing the
  duties of a magistrate under Article 15.17, Code of Criminal
  Procedure.
         (c)  The commissioners court may designate one or more
  magistrates to hold regular hearings to:
               (1)  give admonishments;
               (2)  set and review bail and conditions of release;
               (3)  appoint legal counsel; and
               (4)  determine other routine matters relating to
  preindictment or pending cases within those courts' jurisdiction.
         (d)  In the hearings provided under Subsection (c), a
  magistrate shall give preference to the case of an individual held
  in county jail.
         (e)  A magistrate may inquire into a defendant's intended
  plea to the charge and set the case for an appropriate hearing
  before a judge or master.
         Sec. 54.1604.  JUDICIAL IMMUNITY.  A magistrate has the same
  judicial immunity as a district judge.
         Sec. 54.1605.  WITNESSES.  (a)  A witness who is sworn and
  who appears before a magistrate is subject to the penalties for
  perjury and aggravated perjury provided by law.
         (b)  A referring court may fine or imprison a witness or
  other court participant for failure to appear after being summoned,
  refusal to answer questions, or other acts of direct contempt
  before a magistrate.
         SECTION 4.04.  Section 54.302, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.302.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as a magistrate, a person must[:
               [(1)]  be a resident of this state[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.05.  Section 54.652, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.652.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as a magistrate, a person must[:
               [(1)]  be a resident of this state[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.06.  Section 54.802, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.802.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A master must[:
               [(1)]  be a citizen and resident of this state[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.07.  Section 54.853, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.853.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as a criminal law hearing officer under this
  subchapter, a person must:
               (1)  be a resident of this state and the county;
               (2)  [have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years;
               [(3)]  not have been defeated for reelection to a
  judicial office;
               (3) [(4)]  not have been removed from office by
  impeachment, by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the
  legislature, by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State
  Commission on Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition
  of the judge's court; and
               (4) [(5)]  not have resigned from office after having
  received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided in Section 33.022
  and before the final disposition of the proceedings.
         SECTION 4.08.  Section 54.872, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.872.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as a magistrate, a person must[:
               [(1)]  be a resident of this state[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.09.  Section 54.902, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.902.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as a magistrate, a person must[:
               [(1)]  be a resident of this state[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.10.  Section 54.972, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.972.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A magistrate must[:
               [(1)]  be a resident of this state and of Travis
  County[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.11.  Section 54.1173, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.1173.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A magistrate must:
               (1)  be a citizen of this state; and
               (2)  be at least 25 years of age[; and
               [(3)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years preceding the date of appointment].
         SECTION 4.12.  Section 54.1353, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.1353.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as a criminal law hearing officer under this
  subchapter, a person must:
               (1)  be a resident of Cameron County;
               (2)  be eligible to vote in this state and in Cameron
  County;
               (3)  be at least 30 years of age; and
               (4)  [be a licensed attorney with at least four years'
  experience; and
               [(5)] have the other qualifications required by the
  board.
         SECTION 4.13.  Section 54.1501(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commissioners court shall establish the minimum
  qualifications, salary, benefits, and other compensation of each
  magistrate position and shall determine whether the position is
  full-time or part-time.  [The qualifications must require the
  magistrate to:
               [(1)  have served as a justice of the peace or municipal
  court judge; or
               [(2)  be an attorney licensed in this state.]
         SECTION 4.14.  Section 54.1804, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.1804.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A magistrate must[:
               [(1)] be a resident of this state and of the county in
  which the magistrate is appointed to serve under this subchapter[;
  and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.15.  Section 54.1851(b), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commissioners court shall establish the minimum
  qualifications, salary, benefits, and other compensation of each
  magistrate position and shall determine whether the position is
  full-time or part-time.  [The qualifications must require the
  magistrate to have served as a justice of the peace or be an
  attorney licensed in this state.]
         SECTION 4.16.  Section 54.1953, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.1953.  QUALIFICATIONS.  A magistrate must:
               (1)  be a citizen of this state; and
               (2)  have resided in the county for at least six months
  before the date of the appointment[; and
               [(3)  have:
                     [(A)  served as a justice of the peace for at least
  four years before the date of appointment; or
                     [(B)  been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years before the date of appointment].
         SECTION 4.17.  Section 54.2202(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To be eligible for appointment as a magistrate, a person
  must:
               (1)  be a citizen of the United States; and
               (2)  have resided in Collin County for at least the four
  years preceding the person's appointment[; and
               [(3)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.18.  Section 54.2402(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To be eligible for appointment as a magistrate, a person
  must:
               (1)  be a citizen of the United States; and
               (2)  have resided in Fort Bend County for at least the
  four years preceding the person's appointment[; and
               [(3)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.19.  Section 54.2602, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.2602.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as a magistrate, a person must[:
               [(1)]  be a resident of this state[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.20.  Section 54.2702(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To be eligible for appointment as a magistrate, a person
  must be a resident of this state [and:
               [(1)  have served as a justice of the peace or municipal
  court judge for at least four years before the date of appointment;
  or
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years before the date of appointment].
         SECTION 4.21.  Section 54.2802(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The district court judges with jurisdiction in Denton
  County and the judges of the criminal statutory county courts of
  Denton County shall appoint one or more judges to preside over the
  criminal law magistrate court.  An appointed judge must:
               (1)  serve Denton County as a district court judge, a
  criminal statutory county court judge, an associate judge of a
  court with criminal jurisdiction, a magistrate, including a jail
  magistrate, a judge of a municipal court of record, or a justice of
  the peace;
               (2)  [be a licensed attorney in good standing with the
  State Bar of Texas;
               [(3)]  be authorized to access criminal history records
  under state and federal law;
               (3) [(4)]  have completed training necessary to serve
  as a magistrate in Denton County, as determined by the district
  court judges with jurisdiction in Denton County and the judges of
  the criminal statutory county courts of Denton County; and
               (4) [(5)]  meet the qualifications under Section
  54.2807.
         SECTION 4.22.  Section 54.2807, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.2807.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To be eligible for
  appointment as the criminal law magistrate court associate judge, a
  jail magistrate, or another magistrate in the criminal law
  magistrate court, a person must[:
               [(1)]  have been a resident of Denton County for at
  least two years preceding the person's appointment[; and
               [(2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least four years].
         SECTION 4.23.  Section 54A.003, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54A.003.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To qualify for appointment
  as an associate judge under this subchapter, a person must:
               (1)  be a resident of this state and one of the counties
  the person will serve;
               (2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least five [four] years;
               (3)  not have been removed from office by impeachment,
  by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the legislature,
  by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition of the judge's
  court; and
               (4)  not have resigned from office after having
  received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided by Section 33.022
  and before final disposition of the proceedings.
         SECTION 4.24.  Section 54A.103, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 54A.103.  QUALIFICATIONS.  To qualify for appointment
  as an associate judge under this subchapter, a person must:
               (1)  be a resident of this state and one of the counties
  the person will serve;
               (2)  have been licensed to practice law in this state
  for at least five [four] years;
               (3)  not have been removed from office by impeachment,
  by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the legislature,
  by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition of the judge's
  court; and
               (4)  not have resigned from office after having
  received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided in Section 33.022
  and before final disposition of the proceedings.
         SECTION 4.25.  Section 54A.305(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To be eligible for appointment as an associate judge
  under this subchapter, a person must:
               (1)  be a citizen of the United States;
               (2)  be a resident of this state for the two years
  preceding the date of appointment; and
               (3)  be:
                     (A)  eligible for assignment under Section 74.054
  because the person is named on the list of retired and former judges
  maintained by the presiding judge of the administrative judicial
  region under Section 74.055;
                     (B)  eligible for assignment under Section
  25.0022 by the presiding judge of the statutory probate courts; or
                     (C)  licensed to practice law in this state for at
  least five years and have at least four years of experience in
  guardianship proceedings or protective services proceedings before
  the date of appointment as a practicing attorney in this state or a
  judge of a court in this state.
         SECTION 4.26.  Chapter 54B, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter B to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER B.  CRIMINAL ASSOCIATE JUDGES IN COKE, CONCHO, IRION,
  RUNNELS, SCHLEICHER, STERLING, AND TOM GREEN COUNTIES
         Sec. 54B.031.  APPOINTMENT.  (a)  A judge of the 51st, 119th,
  340th, or 391st district court may appoint a full-time or part-time
  criminal associate judge to perform the duties authorized by this
  subchapter if the commissioners court of the county in which the
  court has jurisdiction has authorized the creation of an associate
  judge position. 
         (b)  If a court has jurisdiction in more than one county, an
  associate judge appointed by that court may serve only in a county
  in which the commissioners court has authorized the appointment.
         (c)  If more than one court in a county is subject to this
  subchapter, the commissioners court may authorize the appointment
  of an associate judge for each court or may authorize one or more
  associate judges to share service with two or more courts.
         (d)  If an associate judge serves more than one court, the
  associate judge's appointment must be made as established by local
  rule, but in no event by less than a vote of two-thirds of the judges
  under whom the associate judge serves.
         Sec. 54B.032.  APPLICABILITY.  Except as provided by Section
  54B.033, Subchapter A, Chapter 54A applies to a criminal associate
  judge appointed under this subchapter.
         Sec. 54B.033.  PROCEEDINGS THAT MAY BE REFERRED.  (a)  A
  judge may refer to a criminal associate judge any criminal case or
  matter relating to a criminal case for proceedings involving:
               (1)  a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest and
  sentencing before the court;
               (2)  a bond forfeiture, remittitur, and related
  proceedings;
               (3)  a pretrial motion;
               (4)  a writ of habeas corpus;
               (5)  an examining trial;
               (6)  an occupational driver's license;
               (7)  a petition for an order of expunction under
  Chapter 55A, Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (8)  an asset forfeiture hearing as provided by Chapter
  59, Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (9)  a petition for an order of nondisclosure of
  criminal history record information or an order of nondisclosure of
  criminal history record information that does not require a
  petition provided by Subchapter E-1, Chapter 411;
               (10)  a motion to modify or revoke community
  supervision or to proceed with an adjudication of guilty;
               (11)  setting conditions, modifying, revoking, and
  surrendering of bonds, including surety bonds;
               (12)  specialty court proceedings;
               (13)  a waiver of extradition; and
               (14)  any other matter the judge considers necessary
  and proper.
         (b)  A judge may refer to a criminal associate judge a civil
  case arising out of Chapter 59, Code of Criminal Procedure, for any
  purpose authorized by that chapter, including issuing orders,
  accepting agreed judgments, enforcing judgments, and presiding
  over a case on the merits if a party has not requested a jury trial.
         (c)  A criminal associate judge may accept a plea of guilty
  from a defendant charged with misdemeanor, felony, or both
  misdemeanor and felony offenses.
         (d)  A criminal associate judge may select a jury.  A
  criminal associate judge may not preside over a criminal trial on
  the merits, whether or not the trial is before a jury.
         (e)  A criminal associate judge may not hear a jury trial on
  the merits of a bond forfeiture.
         (f)  A judge of a designated juvenile court may refer to a
  criminal associate judge any proceeding over which a juvenile court
  has exclusive original jurisdiction under Title 3, Family Code,
  including any matter ancillary to the proceeding.
         SECTION 4.27.  The changes in law made by this article apply
  only to a master, magistrate, referee, or associate judge appointed
  under Chapter 54 or 54A, Government Code, as amended by this
  article, on or after September 1, 2025.  A master, magistrate,
  referee, or associate judge appointed before that date is governed
  by the law in effect on the date the master, magistrate, referee, or
  associate judge was appointed, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
  ARTICLE 5.  BUSINESS COURT
         SECTION 5.01.  Section 659.012, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  In addition to the annual base salary from the state
  prescribed by Subsection (a), a judge of a division of the business
  court is entitled to an additional annual salary from the state in
  an amount equal to the difference between the judge's annual base
  salary from the state and the maximum combined base salary from all
  state and county sources paid to a district judge under Subsection
  (a).
  ARTICLE 6.  JURORS
         SECTION 6.01.  Article 19A.051(c), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The judge shall test the qualifications for and
  exemptions [excuses] from service as a grand juror and impanel the
  completed grand jury as provided by this chapter.
         SECTION 6.02.  The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 19A,
  Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER C.  GRAND JUROR QUALIFICATIONS; EXEMPTIONS [EXCUSES]
  FROM SERVICE
         SECTION 6.03.  Article 19A.101, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Art. 19A.101.  GRAND JUROR QUALIFICATIONS; LISTS OF
  DISQUALIFIED PERSONS.  (a)  A person may be selected or serve as a
  grand juror only if the person:
               (1)  is at least 18 years of age;
               (2)  is a citizen of the United States;
               (3)  is a resident of this state and of the county in
  which the person is to serve;
               (4)  is qualified under the constitution and other laws
  to vote in the county in which the grand jury is sitting, regardless
  of whether the person is registered to vote;
               (5)  is of sound mind and good moral character;
               (6)  is able to read and write;
               (7)  has never been convicted of misdemeanor theft [or
  a felony];
               (8)  has never been convicted of a felony;
               (9)  is not under indictment or other legal accusation
  for misdemeanor theft or a felony;
               (10) [(9)]  is not related within the third degree by
  consanguinity or second degree by affinity, as determined under
  Chapter 573, Government Code, to any person selected to serve or
  serving on the same grand jury;
               (11) [(10)]  has not served as a grand juror in the year
  before the date on which the term of court for which the person has
  been selected as a grand juror begins; and
               (12) [(11)]  is not a complainant in any matter to be
  heard by the grand jury during the term of court for which the
  person has been selected as a grand juror.
         (b)  On the third business day of each month, the clerk of the
  district court shall prepare:
               (1)  a list of persons who in the preceding month were
  disqualified from serving as a grand juror based on the person's
  citizenship [or indictment or conviction for misdemeanor theft or a
  felony] and send a copy of the list to:
                     (A) [(1)]  the secretary of state;
                     (B)  the voter registrar for the county in which
  the grand jury is sitting; and
                     (C) [(2)]  the prosecuting attorney for the court
  to which the grand jurors were summoned for investigation into
  whether any person made a false claim concerning the person's
  qualification under Subsection (a)(2);
               (2)  a list of persons who in the preceding month were
  disqualified from serving as a grand juror based on the person's
  residency and send a copy of the list to:
                     (A)  the secretary of state; and
                     (B)  the voter registrar for the county in which
  the grand jury is sitting;
               (3)  a list of persons who in the preceding month were
  disqualified from serving as a grand juror based on the person's
  conviction for a felony and send a copy of the list to:
                     (A)  the secretary of state;
                     (B)  the voter registrar for the county in which
  the grand jury is sitting; and
                     (C)  the prosecuting attorney for the court to
  which the grand jurors were summoned for investigation into whether
  any person made a false claim concerning the person's qualification
  under Subsection (a)(8); and
               (4)  a list of persons who in the preceding month were
  disqualified from serving as a grand juror based on the person's
  indictment for a felony or indictment or conviction for misdemeanor
  theft and send a copy of the list to:
                     (A)  the secretary of state; and
                     (B)  the prosecuting attorney for the court to
  which the grand jurors were summoned for investigation into whether
  any person made a false claim concerning the person's qualification
  under Subsection (a)(7) or (9) [, (7), or (8)].
         SECTION 6.04.  Article 19A.105, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Art. 19A.105.  EXCUSE AND EXEMPTION [EXCUSES] FROM GRAND
  JURY SERVICE.  (a)  The court shall excuse from serving any
  summoned person who does not possess the requisite qualifications
  or who claims an exemption to which the person is entitled.
         (b)  The following qualified persons may be exempted 
  [excused] from grand jury service:
               (1)  a person who is 75 years of age or older [than 70
  years of age];
               (2)  a person responsible for the care of a child who is
  younger than 18 years of age and who will be without adequate
  supervision if the person serves on the grand jury;
               (3)  a student of a public or private secondary school;
               (4)  a person enrolled in and in actual attendance at an
  institution of higher education; and
               (5)  any other person the court determines has a
  reasonable excuse from service.
         SECTION 6.05.  Subchapter C, Chapter 19A, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended by adding Articles 19A.106 and 19A.107 to
  read as follows:
         Art. 19A.106.  PERMANENT EXEMPTION FOR ELDERLY.  (a)  A
  person who is entitled to exemption from grand jury service because
  the person is 75 years of age or older may establish a permanent
  exemption on that ground as provided by this article.
         (b)  A person may claim a permanent exemption by filing with
  the district clerk or the clerk of a district court in the county,
  through an electronic transmission, mail, or personal delivery, a
  signed statement affirming the person is 75 years of age or older
  and desires a permanent exemption on that ground.
         (c)  The district clerk shall maintain a current register of
  the name of each person who resides in the county and who has
  claimed and is entitled to a permanent exemption from grand jury
  service because the person is 75 years of age or older.
         (d)  On the third business day of each month, the district
  clerk shall prepare a list of persons who in the preceding month
  were permanently exempted from serving as a grand juror under this
  article or who rescinded a permanent exemption under Subsection (f)
  and send a copy of the list to the secretary of state.
         (e)  A person whose name appears on the register of persons
  permanently exempted from serving as a grand juror under this
  article may not be selected or summoned for grand jury service by
  any district judge in the county.
         (f)  A person who has claimed a permanent exemption from jury
  service under this article may rescind the exemption at any time by
  filing a signed request for the rescission with the district clerk
  or the clerk of a district court in the county.  Rescission of a
  permanent exemption does not affect the right of a person who is 75
  years of age or older to claim a permanent exemption at a later
  time.
         Art. 19A.107.  LIST OF DISQUALIFIED CONVICTED PERSONS.  (a)
  The district clerk shall maintain a list of the name and address of
  each person who is disqualified under this subchapter from grand
  jury service because the person was convicted of misdemeanor theft
  or a felony.
         (b)  A person who was convicted of misdemeanor theft or a
  felony is permanently disqualified from serving as a juror.
         (c)  A person whose name appears on the list maintained under
  this article may not be selected or summoned for grand jury service
  by any judge of a district court served by the clerk.
         (d)  On the third business day of each month, the district
  clerk shall send a copy of the list maintained under this article
  to:
               (1)  the secretary of state; and
               (2)  the prosecuting attorney for the court to which
  the grand jurors were summoned for investigation into whether any
  person made a false claim concerning the person's qualification
  under Article 19A.101(a)(7) or (8).
         (e)  On the third business day of each month, the district
  clerk shall prepare a list of the name and address of each person on
  the list maintained under this article disqualified from grand jury
  service because the person was convicted of a felony and send a copy
  of the list to the voter registrar for the county in which the grand
  jury is sitting.
         SECTION 6.06.  Sections 62.001(a) and (b), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The jury wheel must be reconstituted by using, as the
  source:
               (1)  the names of all persons on the current voter
  registration lists from all the precincts in the county; and
               (2)  all names on a current list to be furnished by the
  Department of Public Safety, showing the citizens of the county
  who:
                     (A)  hold a valid Texas driver's license or a
  valid personal identification card or certificate issued by the
  department; and
                     (B)  are not disqualified from jury service under
  Section 62.102(1), (2), (3), (7), or (8).
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the names of persons
  listed on a register of persons exempt from jury service may not be
  placed in the jury wheel, as provided by Sections 62.108 and[,]
  62.109[, 62.113, 62.114, and 62.115].
         SECTION 6.07.  Section 62.0132(g), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (g)  The information contained in a completed questionnaire
  may be disclosed to:
               (1)  a judge assigned to hear a cause of action in which
  the respondent to the questionnaire is a potential juror;
               (2)  court personnel;
               (3)  a litigant and a litigant's attorney in a cause of
  action in which the respondent to the questionnaire is a potential
  juror; and
               (4)  other than information provided that is related to
  Section 62.102(2), (3), (7), (8), or (9) [62.102(8) or (9)], the
  voter registrar of a county in connection with any matter of voter
  registration or the administration of elections.
         SECTION 6.08.  Section 62.102, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 62.102.  GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR JURY SERVICE.  A
  person is disqualified to serve as a petit juror unless the person:
               (1)  is at least 18 years of age;
               (2)  is a citizen of the United States;
               (3)  is a resident of this state and of the county in
  which the person is to serve as a juror;
               (4)  is qualified under the constitution and laws to
  vote in the county in which the person is to serve as a juror;
               (5)  is of sound mind and good moral character;
               (6)  is able to read and write;
               (7)  [has not served as a petit juror for six days
  during the preceding three months in the county court or during the
  preceding six months in the district court;
               [(8)]  has not been convicted of misdemeanor theft [or
  a felony];
               (8)  has not been convicted of a felony; [and]
               (9)  is not under indictment or other legal accusation
  for misdemeanor theft or a felony; and
               (10)  has not served as a petit juror for six days
  during the preceding three months in the county court or during the
  preceding six months in the district court.
         SECTION 6.09.  Section 62.106(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person qualified to serve as a petit juror may
  establish an exemption from jury service if the person:
               (1)  is [over] 75 years of age or older;
               (2)  has legal custody of a child younger than 12 years
  of age and the person's service on the jury requires leaving the
  child without adequate supervision;
               (3)  is a student of a public or private secondary
  school;
               (4)  is a person enrolled and in actual attendance at an
  institution of higher education;
               (5)  is an officer or an employee of the senate, the
  house of representatives, or any department, commission, board,
  office, or other agency in the legislative branch of state
  government;
               (6)  is summoned for service in a county with a
  population of at least 200,000, unless that county uses a jury plan
  under Section 62.011 and the period authorized under Section
  62.011(b)(5) exceeds two years, and the person has served as a petit
  juror in the county during the 24-month period preceding the date
  the person is to appear for jury service;
               (7)  is the primary caretaker of a person who is unable
  to care for himself or herself;
               (8)  except as provided by Subsection (b), is summoned
  for service in a county with a population of at least 250,000 and
  the person has served as a petit juror in the county during the
  three-year period preceding the date the person is to appear for
  jury service; or
               (9)  is a member of the United States military forces
  serving on active duty and deployed to a location away from the
  person's home station and out of the person's county of residence.
         SECTION 6.10.  Section 62.107(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  A person who files a statement with a clerk of the court,
  as provided by Subsection (a), claiming an exemption because the
  person is [over] 75 years of age or older, may also claim the
  permanent exemption on that ground authorized by Section 62.108 by
  including in the statement filed with the clerk a declaration that
  the person desires the permanent exemption. The [Promptly after a
  statement claiming a permanent exemption on the basis of age is
  filed, the] clerk of the court with whom the declaration [it] is
  filed shall notify the district clerk [have a copy delivered to the
  voter registrar of the county].
         SECTION 6.11.  Section 62.108, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (e) and adding
  Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  A person who is entitled to exemption from jury service
  because the person is [over] 75 years of age or older may establish
  a permanent exemption on that ground as provided by this section or
  Section 62.107.
         (b)  A person may claim a permanent exemption:
               (1)  by filing with the district clerk [voter
  registrar] of the county, by mail or personal delivery, a signed
  statement affirming that the person is [over] 75 years of age or
  older and desires a permanent exemption on that ground; or
               (2)  in the manner provided by Section 62.107(c).
         (c)  The district clerk [voter registrar] of the county shall
  maintain a current register indicating the name of each person who
  has claimed and is entitled to a permanent exemption from jury
  service because the person is [over] 75 years of age or older.
         (c-1)  On the third business day of each month, the district
  clerk shall prepare a list of persons who in the preceding month
  claimed and were entitled to a permanent exemption under this
  section or who rescinded an exemption under Subsection (e) and send
  a copy of the list to the secretary of state.
         (e)  A person who has claimed a permanent exemption from jury
  service because the person is [over] 75 years of age or older may
  rescind the exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the
  rescission with the district clerk [voter registrar] of the county.
  Rescission of a permanent exemption does not affect the right of a
  person who is [over] 75 years of age or older to claim permanent
  exemption at a later time.
         SECTION 6.12.  Section 62.109, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a), (b), (d), and (e) and adding
  Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  The judge of a district court or the district clerk [by
  order] may permanently or for a specified period exempt from
  service as a juror in all the county and district courts in the
  county a person with a physical or mental impairment or with an
  inability to comprehend or communicate in the English language that
  makes it impossible or very difficult for the person to serve on a
  jury.
         (b)  A person requesting an exemption under this section must
  submit to the court or the district clerk an affidavit stating the
  person's name and address and the reason for and the duration of the
  requested exemption.  A person requesting an exemption due to a
  physical or mental impairment must attach to the affidavit a
  statement from a physician.  The affidavit and physician's
  statement may be submitted to the court at the time the person is
  summoned for jury service or at any other time.
         (b-1)  The district clerk shall maintain a current list
  indicating the name of each person permanently or temporarily
  exempt under this section and the period of the exemption.
         (d)  A person included on the list maintained under
  Subsection (b-1) [listed on the register] may not be summoned for
  jury service during the period for which the person is exempt.  The
  name of a person included on the list maintained under Subsection
  (b-1) [listed on the register] may not be placed in the jury wheel
  or otherwise used in preparing the record of names from which a jury
  list is selected during the period for which the person is exempt.
         (e)  A person exempt from jury service under this section may
  rescind the exemption at any time by filing a signed request for the
  rescission with the district clerk [voter registrar] of the county.
         SECTION 6.13.  Sections 62.113(a) and (b), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The clerk of the court shall maintain a list of the name
  and address of each person who is [excused or] disqualified under
  this subchapter from jury service because the person is not a
  citizen of the United States.
         (b)  On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall
  send a copy of the list of persons [excused or] disqualified because
  of citizenship in the previous month to:
               (1)  the voter registrar of the county;
               (2)  the secretary of state; and
               (3)  the county or district attorney for an
  investigation of whether the person committed an offense under
  Section 13.007, Election Code, or other law.
         SECTION 6.14.  Sections 62.114(a) and (b), Government Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The clerk of the court shall maintain a list containing
  the name and address of each person who is [excused or] disqualified
  under this subchapter from jury service because the person is not a
  resident of the county.
         (b)  On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall
  send a copy of the list of persons [excused or] disqualified in the
  previous month because the persons do not reside in the county to:
               (1)  the voter registrar of the county; and
               (2)  the secretary of state.
         SECTION 6.15.  Section 62.115, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (d-1) to
  read as follows:
         (c)  The district clerk shall [may] remove from the jury
  wheel the jury wheel card for the person whose name appears on the
  list.
         (d)  On the third business day of each month, the clerk shall
  send [to the secretary of state] a copy of the list of persons
  disqualified because of a conviction of misdemeanor theft or a
  felony to:
               (1)  the secretary of state; and
               (2)  the prosecuting attorney for a court to which a
  person was summoned for investigation into whether the person
  falsely made a claim related to a disqualification under Section
  62.102(7) or (8) [in the preceding month].
         (d-1)  On the third business day of each month, the clerk of
  the court shall prepare a list of the name and address of each
  person on the list maintained under this section disqualified from
  jury service because the person was convicted of a felony and send a
  copy of the list to the voter registrar for the county.
         SECTION 6.16.  The changes in law made by this article apply
  only to a person who is summoned to appear for service on a grand
  jury or petit jury on or after September 1, 2025.  A person who is
  summoned to appear for service on a grand jury or petit jury before
  that date is governed by the law in effect on the date the person was
  summoned, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
  ARTICLE 7.  COURT ADMINISTRATION
         SECTION 7.01.  Section 233.006(b), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by Section 30.023, Civil Practice and
  Remedies Code [233.014], the contestant must file the petition not
  later than the later of the 30th day after the date the election
  records are publicly available under Section 1.012 or the official
  result of the contested election is determined.
         SECTION 7.02.  (a)  Section 233.014, Election Code, is
  transferred to Chapter 30, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
  redesignated as Section 30.023, Civil Practice and Remedies Code,
  and amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 30.023 [233.014].  SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR CONTEST OF
  CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ELECTION.  (a)  This section applies only
  to a contest of an election on a proposed constitutional amendment.
         (b)  The contestant's petition must be filed and service of
  citation on the secretary of state must be obtained before the final
  official canvass is completed.
         (c)  The filing of an election contest does not suspend
  implementation of a constitutional amendment approved by the
  majority of the votes cast [The declaration of the official result
  of a contested election may not be made until the contest is finally
  determined.  The secretary of state shall tabulate the county
  returns and the governor shall announce the final vote count, as
  ascertained from the returns, in a written document.  The document
  announcing the final vote count must state that a contest of the
  election has been filed and that the declaration of the official
  result will not be made until the contest is finally determined].
         (c-1)  The trial court must ensure a written ruling on a
  pretrial motion before the court is entered not later than the 30th
  day after the date the motion is filed.
         (d)  The trial date may not be earlier than the 45th day after
  the date of the contested election except [nor later than the 180th
  day after the date of the contested election.  The trial date may be
  earlier than the 45th day after the date of the contested election]
  at the request of the contestant.  The trial court must ensure the
  judgment of the court is not filed later than the 180th day after
  the date of the contested election.
         (e)  If an amended petition alleging additional grounds of
  contest is filed, the contest may not be called for trial earlier
  than the 20th day after the date the amended petition is filed
  unless the secretary of state agrees to calling the contest for
  trial at an earlier date.
         (f)  The court shall include in its judgment in a contest an
  order directing the governor to declare the [official result of the
  election or to declare the] election valid or void, as appropriate,
  not later than the 10th day after the date the judgment becomes
  final.
         (g)  Any question relating to the validity or outcome of a
  constitutional amendment election may be raised in an election
  contest.  A contest is the exclusive method for adjudicating such
  questions.
         (h)  If a contestant files an appeal of the contest, the
  appellate court must ensure that the action is brought to final
  disposition not later than the 60th [180th] day after the date the
  judgment becomes final.
         (b)  Section 233.014, Election Code, as redesignated and
  amended by this article, applies to a contest of a constitutional
  amendment election filed on or after September 1, 2025.  A contest
  of a constitutional amendment election filed before that date is
  governed by the law in effect on the date that the suit is filed, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 7.03.  Section 253.152(7), Election Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
               (7)  "Statewide judicial office" means the office of
  chief justice or justice, supreme court, or presiding judge or
  judge, court of criminal appeals, or the Court of Appeals for the
  Fifteenth Court of Appeals District.
         SECTION 7.04.  Section 6.4035(e), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (e)  The party executing the waiver may [not] sign the waiver
  using a digitized signature.
         SECTION 7.05.  The heading to Section 22.110, Government
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.110.  JUDICIAL INSTRUCTION RELATED TO FAMILY
  VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, TRAFFICKING OF PERSONS, AND CHILD AND
  ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
         SECTION 7.06.  Section 22.110, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a), (b), and (d) and adding Subsection
  (b-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  The court of criminal appeals shall assure that judicial
  training related to the problems of family violence, sexual
  assault, trafficking of persons, [and] child abuse and neglect, and
  elder abuse and neglect is provided.
         (b)  The court of criminal appeals shall adopt the rules
  necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section.  The rules
  must require:
               (1)  each district judge, judge of a statutory county
  court, associate judge appointed under Chapter 54A of this code or
  Chapter 201, Family Code, master, referee, and magistrate within
  the judge's first term of office or the judicial officer's first
  four years of service to complete and provide certification of
  completion of 12 hours of training that include at least:
                     (A)  four hours dedicated to issues related to
  trafficking of persons, [and] child abuse and neglect, and elder
  abuse and neglect that cover at least two of the topics described in
  Subsections (d)(8) through (12) and (d)(14) [(d)(8)-(12)];
                     (B)  six hours dedicated to the training described
  by Subsections (d)(5), (6), and (7); and
                     (C)  one hour dedicated to the training described
  by Subsection (d)(13);
               (2)  each judge and judicial officer during each
  additional term in office or four years of service to complete and
  provide certification of completion of an additional five hours of
  training that include at least:
                     (A)  two hours dedicated to the training described
  by Subsections (d)(11) and (12); and
                     (B)  one hour dedicated to the training described
  by Subsection (d)(13); and
               (3)  each judge of a court with primary responsibility
  for family law or family violence matters to complete and provide
  certification of completion of an additional hour of training
  described by Subsection (d)(13) every two years.
         (b-1)  The rules adopted under Subsection (b) must exempt
  from the training requirements of this section each judge or
  judicial officer, including an associate judge, who files an
  affidavit stating the judge or judicial officer does not hear cases
  involving family violence, sexual assault, trafficking of persons,
  or child abuse and neglect.
         (d)  The instruction must include information about:
               (1)  statutory and case law relating to videotaping a
  child's testimony and relating to competency of children to
  testify;
               (2)  methods for eliminating the trauma to the child
  caused by the court process;
               (3)  case law, statutory law, and procedural rules
  relating to family violence, sexual assault, trafficking of
  persons, and child abuse and neglect;
               (4)  methods for providing protection for victims of
  family violence, sexual assault, trafficking of persons, and child
  abuse and neglect;
               (5)  available community and state resources for
  counseling and other aid to victims and to offenders;
               (6)  gender bias in the judicial process;
               (7)  dynamics and effects of being a victim of sexual
  assault, trafficking of persons, or child abuse and neglect;
               (8)  dynamics of sexual abuse of children, including
  child abuse accommodation syndrome and grooming;
               (9)  impact of substance abuse on an unborn child and on
  a person's ability to care for a child;
               (10)  issues of attachment and bonding between children
  and caregivers;
               (11)  issues of child development that pertain to
  trafficking of persons and child abuse and neglect;
               (12)  medical findings regarding physical abuse,
  sexual abuse, trafficking of persons, and child abuse and neglect;
  [and]
               (13)  dynamics of family violence; and
               (14)  elder abuse and neglect.
         SECTION 7.07.  Section 22.216(n-2), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (n-2)  Notwithstanding Subsection (n-1), the Court of
  Appeals for the Fifteenth Court of Appeals District consists of a
  chief justice and of two justices holding places numbered
  consecutively beginning with Place 2 for the first three years
  following the court's creation.  Place 4 shall be created and the
  initial vacancy in that place shall be filled for the fourth year
  following the court's creation.  Place 5 shall be created and the
  initial vacancy in that place shall be filled for the fifth year
  following the court's creation. This subsection expires September
  1, 2029 [2027].
         SECTION 7.08.  Section 22.220, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:
         (e)  A party may not file a notice of appeal in a civil case
  requesting assignment of the appeal to the Court of Appeals for the
  Fifteenth Court of Appeals District unless the notice includes a
  matter arising out of or related to the case that is within the
  court's exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction.
         SECTION 7.09.  Section 51.303, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (b) and (f) and adding Subsection (d) to
  read as follows:
         (b)  The clerk of a district court shall:
               (1)  record the acts and proceedings of the court;
               (2)  enter all judgments of the court under the
  direction of the judge; [and]
               (3)  record all executions issued and the returns on
  the executions; and
               (4)  accept an application for a protective order filed
  under Chapter 82, Family Code.
         (d)  Paper records must include a reference opposite each
  name to the minutes on which is entered the judgment in the case.
         (f)  A case with an electronic record must be searchable by
  each party's full name, the case number, and the date on which the
  record was made [In addition to the other powers and duties of this
  section, a district clerk shall accept applications for protective
  orders under Chapter 71, Family Code].
         SECTION 7.10.  Section 51.903(d), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The district clerk may not collect a filing fee under
  Section 12.005, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, for a filing [a
  motion] under this section.
         SECTION 7.11.  Section 53.001(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The judges of the 30th, 70th, 71st, 78th, 89th, and
  161st[, and 341st] district courts, the judges of the district
  courts having jurisdiction in Taylor County, the judges of the
  county courts at law of Taylor County, and the judge of the County
  Court of Harrison County shall each appoint a bailiff.
         SECTION 7.12.  Section 57.002(d), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  Subject to Subsection (e), in a county with a population
  of 50,000 or more, a court may appoint a spoken language interpreter
  who is not a certified or licensed court interpreter:
               (1)  if:
                     (A) [(1)]  the language necessary in the
  proceeding is a language other than Spanish; and
                     (B) [(2)]  the court makes a finding that there is
  no licensed court interpreter within 75 miles who can interpret in
  the language that is necessary in a proceeding; or 
               (2)  if the court is a justice court, municipal court,
  or municipal court of record.
         SECTION 7.13.  Subchapter C, Chapter 71, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 71.0354 to read as follows:
         Sec. 71.0354.  PROSECUTING ATTORNEY INFORMATION.  (a)  In
  this section, "prosecuting attorney" means a county attorney,
  district attorney, or criminal district attorney representing this
  state in criminal matters before the district or other courts of the
  county.
         (b)  Each prosecuting attorney shall report in the form and
  manner prescribed by the council information on:
               (1)  the categories of criminal offenses prosecuted by
  the prosecuting attorney and the number of criminal cases in each
  category;
               (2)  the number of personnel employed by the
  prosecuting attorney and whether that number is sufficient to
  support the  prosecutor's caseload;
               (3)  the number of times a defendant was released as
  provided by Article 17.151, Code of Criminal Procedure; and
               (4)  the number of electronic notices submitted by the
  prosecuting attorney to a court as required by Article
  17.027(a)(2), Code of Criminal Procedure.
         (c)  In prescribing the information to be submitted and form
  and manner of submission of the information under Subsection (b),
  the council shall consult with:
               (1)  the Texas District and County Attorneys
  Association; and
               (2)  other interested persons.
         SECTION 7.14.  Section 72.015(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The judicial security division shall:
               (1)  serve as a central resource for information on
  local and national best practices for court security and the safety
  of court personnel;
               (2)  provide an expert opinion on the technical aspects
  of court security; [and]
               (3)  keep abreast of and provide training on recent
  court security improvements; and
               (4)  develop a model court emergency management plan as
  a resource for court security committees.
         SECTION 7.15.  Section 72.016, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 72.016.  NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE FOR JUDICIAL PRIVACY.
  The director shall develop a procedure to regularly notify county
  registrars, the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Ethics
  Commission, and any other state or local government agency the
  office determines should be notified of the judges, judges'
  spouses, employees of the Office of Court Administration of the
  Texas Judicial System and entities administratively attached to the
  office, employees and commissioners of the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct, and related family members whose personal
  information must be kept from public records, as provided under
  Sections 552.117 and 572.035 of this code, Sections 13.0021 and
  15.0215, Election Code, Section 25.025, Tax Code, and Section
  521.121, Transportation Code.
         SECTION 7.16.  Section 72.083, Government Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b), if the director
  determines a performance measure listed in Subsection (b) does not
  accurately reflect a court's performance in probate and mental
  health matters, the director may develop an alternative performance
  measure to assess the efficient and timely adjudication of those
  matters and include the alternative performance measure in the
  annual report required under Subsection (b).
         SECTION 7.17.  Section 74.024(d), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  Any rules adopted under this section remain in effect
  unless and until disapproved by the legislature.  The clerk of the
  supreme court shall file with the secretary of state the rules or
  any amendments to the rules adopted by the supreme court under this
  section and shall provide [mail] a copy of the rules and any
  amendments to each registered member of the State Bar not later than
  the 120th day before the date on which they become effective.  The
  supreme court shall allow a period of 60 days for review and comment
  on the rules and any amendments.  The clerk of the supreme court
  shall report the rules or amendments to the rules to the next
  regular session of the legislature by providing [mailing] a copy of
  the rules or amendments to the rules to each elected member of the
  legislature on or before December 1 immediately preceding the
  session.
         SECTION 7.18.  Section 74.051(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  A presiding judge [who is a retired or former district
  judge or a retired appellate judge and who presides over an
  administrative region with 30 or more district courts, statutory
  county courts, and retired and former judges named on the list
  maintained under Section 74.055 for the administrative region] is
  entitled to an annual salary for each fiscal year, based on the
  number of district courts, business courts, and statutory county
  courts in the administrative region, the number of associate judges
  appointed by the presiding judge under Chapter 201, Family Code,
  and the number of retired and former judges named on the list
  maintained under Section 74.055 for the administrative region, in
  an amount equal to:
           Number of Courts and Judges
  Salary
                  [30 to] 49 or fewer
  50 [30] percent of the state base salary paid to a district judge as set by the General Appropriations Act in accordance
  with Section 659.012(a)
                 50 to 69
  55 [35] percent of the state base salary paid to a district judge as set by the General
  Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012(a)
                 70 to 89
  60 [40] percent of the state base salary paid to a district judge as set by the General
  Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012(a)
                 90 or more
  65 [45] percent of the state base salary paid to a district judge as set by the General
  Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012(a)
         SECTION 7.19.  Section 74.091, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  In a county with two or more district courts the judges
  of those courts shall elect a district judge as local
  administrative district judge:
               (1)  for a term of [not more than] two years; or
               (2)  if the district judge's term ends before the second
  anniversary of the date the district judge is elected as local
  administrative judge, for the remainder of the district judge's
  term.
         (b-1)  The local administrative district judge may not be
  elected on the basis of rotation or seniority.
         SECTION 7.20.  Section 74.092, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
  follows:
         (a)  A local administrative judge, for the courts for which
  the judge serves as local administrative judge, shall:
               (1)  implement and execute the local rules of
  administration, including the assignment, docketing, transfer, and
  hearing of cases;
               (2)  appoint any special or standing committees
  necessary or desirable for court management and administration;
               (3)  promulgate local rules of administration if the
  other judges do not act by a majority vote;
               (4)  recommend to the regional presiding judge any
  needs for assignment from outside the county to dispose of court
  caseloads;
               (5)  supervise the expeditious movement of court
  caseloads, subject to local, regional, and state rules of
  administration;
               (6)  provide the supreme court and the office of court
  administration requested statistical and management information;
               (7)  set the hours and places for holding court in the
  county;
               (8)  supervise the employment and performance of
  nonjudicial personnel;
               (9)  supervise the budget and fiscal matters of the
  local courts, subject to local rules of administration;
               (10)  coordinate and cooperate with any other local
  administrative judge in the district in the assignment of cases in
  the courts' concurrent jurisdiction for the efficient operation of
  the court system and the effective administration of justice;
               (11)  if requested by the courts the judge serves,
  establish and maintain the lists required by Section 37.003 and
  ensure appointments are made from the lists in accordance with
  Section 37.004;
               (12)  perform other duties as may be directed by the
  chief justice or a regional presiding judge; and
               (13)  establish a court security committee to adopt
  security policies and procedures for the trial courts served by the
  local administrative district judge, including by adopting a court
  emergency management plan, that is composed of:
                     (A)  the local administrative district judge, or
  the judge's designee, who serves as presiding officer of the
  committee;
                     (B)  a representative of the sheriff's office;
                     (C)  a representative of a constable's office;
                     (D)  a representative of the county commissioners
  court;
                     (E) [(D)]  one judge of each type of court in the
  county, including a justice of the peace and excluding the judge of
  [other than] a municipal court or a municipal court of record;
                     (F) [(E)]  a representative of any county
  attorney's office, district attorney's office, or criminal district
  attorney's office that serves in the applicable courts; and
                     (G) [(F)]  any other person the committee
  determines necessary to assist the committee.
         (c)  Notwithstanding Section 551.001 or 552.003, a court
  security committee established under this section is not a
  governmental body for the purposes of Chapter 551 or 552.
         SECTION 7.21.  Section 74.092(b), Government Code, is
  redesignated as Section 74.0922, Government Code, and amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 74.0922.  DUTIES OF COURT SECURITY COMMITTEE. [(b)] A
  court security committee established under Section 74.092(a)(13)
  shall meet at least once annually and shall develop and submit
  recommendations [may recommend] to the county commissioners court
  on the uses of resources and expenditures of money for courthouse
  security, but may not direct the assignment of those resources or
  the expenditure of those funds.
         SECTION 7.22.  Chapter 74, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D-1.  COURT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
         Sec. 74.0981.  COURT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.  The Office of
  Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System shall hold an
  annual leadership conference to provide information to presiding
  judges of administrative regions, local administrative judges, and
  court administrators related to:
               (1)  court budgets and operational funding;
               (2)  court activity statistics and case-level
  information on the amount and character of the business transacted
  by the state trial courts;
               (3)  the duties of a local administrative judge; and
               (4)  other matters related to court administration.
         Sec. 74.0982.  REIMBURSEMENT.  The Office of Court
  Administration of the Texas Judicial System may reimburse a
  presiding judge of an administrative region, a local administrative
  judge, or a court administrator for the expense of attending the
  leadership conference described by Section 74.0981 to the extent
  money is appropriated to the office for that purpose.
         SECTION 7.23.  Section 75.001(d), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  A retiree who makes an election under this section shall
  be:
               (1)  designated a senior judge; and
               (2)  considered a judge of a court of this state for the
  purpose of appointment to a judicial branch board, commission, or
  council.
         SECTION 7.24.  Section 121.002(c), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  Notwithstanding any other law, a specialty court
  program may not operate until the judge, magistrate, or
  coordinator:
               (1)  provides to the Office of Court Administration of
  the Texas Judicial System:
                     (A)  written notice of the program;
                     (B)  any resolution or other official declaration
  under which the program was established; and
                     (C)  a copy of the program policy manual,
  participant handbook, or other adopted documentation describing
  the operational plan of [applicable strategic plan that
  incorporates duties related to supervision that will be required
  under] the program; and
               (2)  receives from the office written verification of
  the program's compliance with Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 7.25.  Section 406.026, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 406.026.  ELECTRONIC NOTARIZATION.  In a proceeding
  filed under Title 1 or 5, Family Code, if a signature is required to
  be notarized, acknowledged, verified, or made under oath, the
  requirement may be satisfied if the electronic signature of the
  person authorized to perform that act, together with all other
  information required to be included by other applicable law, is
  attached to or logically associated with the signature required to
  be notarized, acknowledged, verified, or made under oath.
         SECTION 7.26.  Section 659.012, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (d-1) to read as
  follows:
         (d)  Notwithstanding any other provision in this section or
  other law, [in a county with more than five district courts,] a
  district judge who serves as a local administrative district judge
  under Section 74.091 is entitled to an annual base salary from the
  state in the amount provided under Subsection (a) or (b) and an
  additional annual [in the] amount from the state equal to:
               (1)  in a county with three or four district courts,
  three percent of the annual base [$5,000 more than the maximum]
  salary for a judge of a district court [from the state to which the
  judge is otherwise entitled] under Subsection (a);
               (2)  in a county with more than four but fewer than 10
  district courts, five percent of the annual base salary for a judge
  of a district court under Subsection (a); or
               (3)  in a county with 10 or more district courts, seven
  percent of the annual base salary for a judge of a district court
  under Subsection (a) [or (b)].
         (d-1)  Notwithstanding any other provision in this section
  or other law, a judge of a division of the business court who serves
  as administrative presiding judge under Section 25A.009 is entitled
  to an annual base salary from the state in the amount provided under
  Subsection (a) or (b) and an additional annual amount equal to the
  amount provided under Subsection (d)(3).
         SECTION 7.27.  Section 574.001(b), Health and Safety Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (f), the application
  must be filed with the county clerk in the county in which the
  proposed patient:
               (1)  resides;
               (2)  is located at the time the application is filed [is
  found]; [or]
               (3)  was apprehended under Chapter 573; or
               (4)  is receiving mental health services by court order
  or under Subchapter A, Chapter 573.
         SECTION 7.28.  Section 118.011(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A county clerk shall collect the following fees for
  services rendered to any person:
               (1)  Personal Property Records Filing (Sec. 118.012):
                     (A)  for the first page$ 5.00;
                     (B)  for each additional page or part of a page on
  which there are visible marks of any kind$ 4.00;
               (2)  Real Property Records Filing (Sec. 118.013):
                     (A)  for the first page$ 5.00;
                     (B)  for each additional page or part of a page on
  which there are visible marks of any kind$ 4.00;
                     (C)  for all or part of each 8-1/2" X 14"
  attachment or rider$ 4.00;
                     (D)  for each name in excess  of five names that
  has to  be indexed in all  records in  which the  document must be  
  indexed $ 0.25;
               (3)  Certified Papers (Sec. 118.014):
                     (A)  for the clerk's certificate$ 5.00;
                     (B)  printed on paper, plus a fee for each page or
  part of a page$ 1.00;
                     (C)  that is a paper document converted to
  electronic format, for each page or part of a page$1;
                     (D)  that is an electronic copy of an electronic
  document:
                           (i)  for each document up to 10 pages in
  length$1;
                           (ii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  document over 10 pages$0.10;
               (4)  Noncertified Papers (Sec. 118.0145):
                     (A)  printed on paper, for each page or part of a
  page$ 1.00;
                     (B)  that is a paper document converted to
  electronic format, for each page or part of a page$1;
                     (C)  that is an electronic copy of an electronic
  document:
                           (i)  for each document up to 10 pages in
  length$1;
                           (ii)  for each page or part of a page of a
  document over 10 pages$0.10;
               (5)  Birth or Death Certificate (Sec. 118.015)same
  as state registrar;
               (6)  Bond Approval (Sec. 118.016)$ 5.00 [3.00];
               (7)  Marriage License (Sec. 118.018)$60.00;
               (8)  Declaration of Informal Marriage (Sec.
  118.019)$25.00;
               (9)  Brand Registration (Sec. 118.020)$ 5.00;
               (10)  Oath Administration (Sec. 118.021)$ 1.00.
         SECTION 7.29.  Section 135.101(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person shall pay in a district court, statutory county
  court, or county court in addition to all other fees and court costs
  a local consolidated filing fee of:
               (1)  $213 on filing any civil case except a probate,
  guardianship, or mental health case; and
               (2)  $35 on any action other than an original action for
  a case subject to Subdivision (1), including [an appeal and] any
  counterclaim, cross-action, intervention, contempt action,
  interpleader, motion for new trial, motion to reinstate, or
  third-party action.
         SECTION 7.30.  Section 615.003(a), Local Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A county [with a population of 150,000 or more] may
  construct, enlarge, equip, and operate a parking lot or parking
  garage adjacent to or near the county courthouse.
         SECTION 7.31.  Sections 53.001(i), 53.009(d), and
  74.051(b), Government Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 7.32.  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Digital court reporting" means the act of making
  a verbatim record of an oral court proceeding, deposition, or
  proceeding before a grand jury, referee, or court commissioner for
  use in litigation in the courts of this state through the use of
  digital technology, electronic recording equipment, or other
  recording and transcribing technology.
               (2)  "Office" means the Office of Court Administration
  of the Texas Judicial System.
         (b)  The office shall conduct a study on digital court
  reporting, including:
               (1)  an evaluation of the current use of digital court
  reporting in the courts of this state, including the cost, access,
  accuracy, and effectiveness of digital court reporting;
               (2)  an analysis of the use of digital court reporting
  in other states and jurisdictions; and
               (3)  recommendations on any necessary changes to
  statutes, rules, regulations, or standards regarding the use of
  digital court reporting in this state.
         (c)  Not later than October 1, 2026, the office shall submit
  a report on the study conducted under this section to the governor,
  lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and
  appropriate standing committees of the legislature.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2027.
         SECTION 7.33.  Section 6.4035(e), Family Code, and Section
  406.026, Government Code, as amended by this article, apply to a
  waiver of citation executed in a suit for dissolution of a marriage
  that is pending in a trial court on September 1, 2025, or that is
  filed on or after that date.
         SECTION 7.34.  (a)  As soon as practicable after September 1,
  2025, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals shall adopt the rules
  necessary to implement Section 22.110, Government Code, as amended
  by this article.
         (b)  Section 22.110, Government Code, as amended by this
  article, applies to all judges, masters, referees, and magistrates
  elected, appointed, or holding office on or after September 1,
  2025.
         SECTION 7.35.  Section 22.220(e), Government Code, as added
  by this article, applies only to a notice of appeal filed on or
  after September 1, 2025.  A notice of appeal filed before that date
  is governed by the law in effect on the date the notice was filed,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 7.36.  Section 53.001, Government Code, as amended
  by this article, does not apply to a bailiff appointed by the judge
  of the 341st or 406th district court before September 1, 2025.  A
  bailiff appointed by the judge of the 341st or 406th district court
  before that date shall continue to serve and receive compensation
  from Webb County in the same manner as before that date and shall be
  eligible to receive any longevity or cost of living salary
  increases available to a bailiff serving in Webb County before that
  date.  The former law is continued in effect for the purposes of
  this section.
         SECTION 7.37.  Not later than September 1, 2026, the Texas
  Judicial Council shall prescribe the information, and form and
  manner of submission, a prosecuting attorney in this state is
  required to report under Section 71.0354, Government Code, as added
  by this article.
         SECTION 7.38.  The change in law made by this article to
  Section 574.001, Health and Safety Code, applies only to an
  application for court-ordered mental health services submitted on
  or after September 1, 2025.
  ARTICLE 8.  COPIES CERTIFIED BY CLERKS
         SECTION 8.01.  Subchapter D, Chapter 51, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.3033 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.3033.  CERTIFIED COPIES.  A certified copy made of an
  original document on file in a district clerk's office must
  include:
               (1)  on each page of the copy:
                     (A)  the clerk's signature or initials;
                     (B)  the district court seal; or
                     (C)  a unique document certification and
  paginated page number; and
               (2)  on the final page of the copy:
                     (A)  the clerk's attestation certifying that the
  copy is a true and correct copy of the original document filed in
  the clerk's office;
                     (B)  the number of pages copied; and
                     (C)  the date the copy was issued.
         SECTION 8.02.  Subchapter F, Chapter 51, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.503 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.503.  CERTIFIED COPIES.  A certified copy made of an
  original document on file in a joint clerk's office must include:
               (1)  on each page of the copy:
                     (A)  the clerk's signature or initials;
                     (B)  the applicable court's seal; or
                     (C)  a unique document certification and
  paginated page number; and
               (2)  on the final page of the copy:
                     (A)  the clerk's attestation certifying that the
  copy is a true and correct copy of the original document filed in
  the clerk's office;
                     (B)  the number of pages copied; and
                     (C)  the date the copy was issued.
         SECTION 8.03.  Chapter 191, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 191.0041 to read as follows:
         Sec. 191.0041.  CERTIFIED COPIES.  A certified copy made of
  an original document on file in a county clerk's office must
  include:
               (1)  on each page of the copy:
                     (A)  either:
                           (i)  the clerk's signature or initials; or
                           (ii)  a unique document certification and
  paginated page number; and
                     (B)  either: 
                           (i)  the commissioners court seal on a copy
  of a document that is not a court document; or 
                           (ii)  the court seal on a copy of a court
  document; and
               (2)  on the final page of the copy: 
                     (A)  the clerk's attestation certifying that the
  copy is a true and correct copy of the original document filed in
  the clerk's office;
                     (B)  the number of pages copied; and
                     (C)  the date the copy was issued.
  ARTICLE 9.  YOUTH DIVERSION
         SECTION 9.01.  Article 45A.253(b), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A judge shall [may] allow a defendant who is a child, as
  defined by Article 45A.453(a), to elect at the time of conviction,
  as defined by Section 133.101, Local Government Code, to discharge
  the fine and costs by:
               (1)  performing community service or receiving
  tutoring under Article 45A.460, regardless of whether the
  applicable offense occurred at a location specified by Subsection
  (a) of that article; or
               (2)  paying the fine and costs in a manner described by
  Article 45A.251(b).
         SECTION 9.02.  (a)  Chapter 45A, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended to conform to Section 2, Chapter 525 (H.B. 3186), Acts of
  the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and Chapter 1033 (S.B.
  24), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, and is
  further amended by adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER K.  YOUTH DIVERSION
         Art. 45A.501.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Charge" means a formal or informal allegation of
  an offense, including a citation, written promise to appear,
  complaint, or pending complaint.
               (2)  "Child" has the meaning assigned by Article
  45A.453(a).
               (3)  "Court" means a justice court, municipal court, or
  other court subject to this chapter.
               (4)  "Diversion" means an intervention strategy that
  redirects a child from formal criminal prosecution and holds the
  child accountable for the child's actions.  The term includes
  diversion under Article 45A.509 or 45A.510.
               (5)  "Offense" means a misdemeanor punishable by fine
  only, other than a traffic offense.
               (6)  "Parent" has the meaning assigned by Article
  45A.457(a).
               (7)  "Service provider" means a governmental agency,
  political subdivision, open-enrollment charter school, nonprofit
  organization, or other entity that provides services to children or
  families.
               (8)  "Traffic offense" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 51.02, Family Code.
               (9)  "Youth diversion plan" means a plan adopted under
  Article 45A.506.
         Art. 45A.502.  APPLICABILITY.  This subchapter applies only
  to a child who is alleged to have engaged in conduct that
  constitutes a misdemeanor punishable by fine only, other than a
  traffic offense.
         Art. 45A.503.  TRANSFER TO JUVENILE COURT NOT AFFECTED.
  Nothing in this subchapter precludes:
               (1)  a case involving a child from being referred,
  adjudicated, or disposed of as conduct indicating a need for
  supervision under Title 3, Family Code; or
               (2)  a waiver of criminal jurisdiction and transfer of
  a child's case as provided by Section 51.08, Family Code.
         Art. 45A.504.  DIVERSION ELIGIBILITY.  (a)  Except as
  otherwise provided by this subchapter, a child shall be diverted
  from formal criminal prosecution as provided by this subchapter.
         (b)  A child is eligible to enter into a diversion agreement
  under this subchapter only once every 12 months.
         (b-1)  A child is eligible to enter into a diversion
  agreement under this subchapter for more than one offense if the
  offenses are alleged to have occurred as part of the same criminal
  episode, as defined by Section 3.01, Penal Code.
         (c)  A child is not eligible for diversion if the child has
  previously had an unsuccessful diversion under this subchapter.
         (d)  A child is not eligible for diversion if a diversion is
  objected to by the attorney representing the state.
         (e)  A court may not divert a child from criminal prosecution
  as provided by this subchapter without the written consent of the
  child and the child's parent.
         Art. 45A.505.  DIVERSION STRATEGIES.  (a)  Diversion
  strategies include:
               (1)  requiring a child to participate in a program,
  including:
                     (A)  a court-approved teen court program operated
  by a service provider;
                     (B)  a school-related program;
                     (C)  an educational program, including an alcohol
  awareness program, a tobacco awareness program, or a drug education
  program;
                     (D)  a rehabilitation program; or
                     (E)  a self-improvement program, including a
  program relating to self-esteem, leadership, self-responsibility,
  empathy, parenting, parental responsibility, manners, violence
  avoidance, anger management, life skills, wellness, or dispute
  resolution;
               (2)  referring a child to a service provider for
  services, including:
                     (A)  at-risk youth services under Subchapter D,
  Chapter 137, Human Resources Code;
                     (B)  juvenile case manager services under Article
  45A.451;
                     (C)  work and job skills training, including job
  interviewing and work preparation;
                     (D)  academic monitoring or tutoring, including
  preparation for a high school equivalency examination administered
  under Section 7.111, Education Code;
                     (E)  community-based services;
                     (F)  mental health screening and clinical
  assessment;
                     (G)  counseling, including private or in-school
  counseling; or
                     (H)  mentoring services;
               (3)  requiring a child to:
                     (A)  participate in mediation or other dispute
  resolution processes;
                     (B)  submit to alcohol or drug testing; or
                     (C)  substantially comply with a course of
  treatment prescribed by a physician or other licensed medical or
  mental health professional; and
               (4)  requiring a child, by court order, to:
                     (A)  pay restitution not to exceed $100 for an
  offense against property under Title 7, Penal Code;
                     (B)  perform not more than 20 hours of community
  service; or
                     (C)  perform any other reasonable action
  determined by the court.
         (b)  A diversion strategy may be imposed under:
               (1)  an intermediate diversion under Article 45A.509;
               (2)  a diversion by a justice or judge under Article
  45A.510; or
               (3)  a system of graduated sanctions for certain school
  offenses under Section 37.144, Education Code.
         (c)  A diversion strategy under this subchapter may not
  require a child who is a home-schooled student, as defined by
  Section 29.916, Education Code, to:
               (1)  attend an elementary or secondary school; or
               (2)  use an educational curriculum other than the
  curriculum selected by the parent.
         Art. 45A.506.  YOUTH DIVERSION PLAN.  (a)  A youth diversion
  plan is a written plan that describes the types of strategies that
  will be used to implement youth diversion.  A youth diversion plan
  does not limit the types of diversion strategies that may be imposed
  under a diversion agreement under Article 45A.508.
         (b)  Each justice and municipal court shall adopt a youth
  diversion plan.
         (c)  A youth diversion plan may be devised for a county or
  municipality or an individual court within a county or
  municipality.
         (d)  In accordance with Chapter 791, Government Code, a local
  government may enter into an agreement with one or more local
  governments to create a regional youth diversion plan and
  collaborate in the implementation of this subchapter.
         (e)  A youth diversion plan may include an agreement with a
  service provider to provide services for a diversion strategy.
         (f)  A youth diversion plan may contain guidelines for
  disposition or diversion of a child's case by law enforcement.  The
  guidelines are not mandatory.
         (g)  A current youth diversion plan must be maintained on
  file for public inspection in each justice and municipal court,
  including courts that collaborate with one or more counties or
  municipalities.
         (h)  A court or local government may adopt rules necessary to
  coordinate services under a youth diversion plan or to implement
  this subchapter.
         Art. 45A.507.  YOUTH DIVERSION COORDINATOR.  (a)  A court may
  designate a youth diversion coordinator to assist the court in:
               (1)  determining whether a child is eligible for
  diversion;
               (2)  employing a diversion strategy authorized by this
  subchapter;
               (3)  presenting and maintaining diversion agreements;
               (4)  monitoring diversions;
               (5)  maintaining records regarding whether one or more
  diversions were successful or unsuccessful; and
               (6)  coordinating referrals to court.
         (b)  The responsibilities of the youth diversion coordinator
  may be performed by:
               (1)  a court administrator or court clerk, or a person
  who regularly performs the duties of court administrator or court
  clerk;
               (2)  an individual or entity that provides juvenile
  case manager services under Article 45A.451;
               (3)  a court-related services office;
               (4)  a community supervision and corrections
  department, including a juvenile probation department;
               (5)  a county or municipal employee, including a peace
  officer;
               (6)  a community volunteer;
               (7)  an institution of higher education, including a
  public, private, or independent institution of higher education; or
               (8)  a qualified nonprofit organization as determined
  by the court.
         Art. 45A.508.  DIVERSION AGREEMENT.  (a)  A diversion
  agreement must identify the parties to the agreement and the
  responsibilities of the child and the child's parent to ensure
  their meaningful participation in a diversion under Article 45A.509
  or 45A.510.
         (b)  Stated objectives in a diversion agreement must be
  measurable, realistic, and reasonable and consider the
  circumstances of the child, the best interests of the child, and the
  long-term safety of the community.
         (c)  A diversion agreement must include:
               (1)  the terms of the agreement, including one or more
  diversions required to be completed by the child, written in a clear
  and concise manner and identifying any offense or charge being
  diverted;
               (2)  possible outcomes or consequences of a successful
  diversion and an unsuccessful diversion;
               (3)  an explanation that participation in a diversion
  is not an admission of guilt and a guilty plea is not required to
  participate in a diversion;
               (4)  an explanation of the process that will be used for
  reviewing and monitoring compliance with the terms of the
  agreement;
               (5)  the period of the diversion;
               (6)  a verification that:
                     (A)  the child and the child's parent were
  notified of the child's rights, including the right to refuse
  diversion; and
                     (B)  the child knowingly and voluntarily consents
  to participate in the diversion; and
               (7)  written acknowledgment and acceptance of the
  agreement by the child and the child's parent.
         (d)  The terms of an agreement may vary depending on the
  circumstances of the child, including the child's age and ability,
  the charge being diverted, or the diversion strategy used.
         (e)  A charge may not be filed against a child or, if filed,
  shall be dismissed by the court if the child:
               (1)  does not contest the charge;
               (2)  is eligible for diversion under Article 45A.504;
  and
               (3)  accepts the terms of the agreement.
         (f)  Entering into a diversion agreement under this article
  extends the court's jurisdiction for the term of the agreement.
         (g)  On entering into a diversion agreement, a copy of the
  agreement shall be provided to the child and the child's parent, the
  clerk of the court, a youth diversion coordinator, and any person
  specified by the youth diversion plan.
         Art. 45A.509.  INTERMEDIATE DIVERSION.  (a)  If provided by a
  youth diversion plan, a youth diversion coordinator or juvenile
  case manager shall advise the child and the child's parent before a
  case is filed that the case may be diverted under this article for a
  reasonable period not to exceed 180 days if:
               (1)  the child is eligible for diversion under Article
  45A.504;
               (2)  diversion is in the best interests of the child and
  promotes the long-term safety of the community;
               (3)  the child and the child's parent consent to
  diversion with the knowledge that diversion is optional; and
               (4)  the child and the child's parent are informed that
  they may terminate the diversion at any time and, if terminated, the
  case will be referred to court.
         (b)  The terms of a diversion agreement under this article
  must be in writing and may include any of the diversion strategies
  under Article 45A.505.
         (c)  The case of a child who successfully complies with the
  terms of a diversion agreement under this article shall be closed
  and reported as successful to the court.
         (d)  A child who does not comply with the terms of a diversion
  agreement under this article shall be referred to court under
  Article 45A.511.
         Art. 45A.510.  DIVERSION BY JUSTICE OR JUDGE.  (a)  If a
  charge involving a child who is eligible for diversion is filed with
  a court, and the child does not contest the charge, a justice or
  judge shall divert the case under this article without the child
  having to enter a plea.
         (b)  A diversion under this article may not exceed 180 days.
         (c)  The terms of a diversion agreement under this article
  must be in writing and may include any of the diversion strategies
  described by Article 45A.505.
         (d)  The case of a child who successfully complies with the
  terms of a diversion agreement under this article shall be closed
  and reported as successful to the court.
         (e)  A child who does not comply with the terms of a diversion
  agreement under this article shall be referred to court for a
  hearing under Article 45A.511.
         Art. 45A.511.  REFERRAL TO COURT.  (a)  A court shall conduct
  a non-adversarial hearing for a child who does not successfully
  complete the terms of a diversion under Article 45A.509 or 45A.510
  and is referred to the court.
         (b)  The hearing is an opportunity for a justice or judge to
  confer with the child and the child's parent to determine whether a
  diversion should be declared unsuccessful by the court.  The court
  may also hear from any person who may be of assistance to the child
  or the court in determining what is in the best interests of the
  child and the long-term safety of the community.
         (c)  After the hearing, a court may enter an order:
               (1)  amending or setting aside terms in the diversion
  agreement;
               (2)  extending the diversion for a period not to exceed
  one year from the initial start date of the diversion;
               (3)  issuing a continuance for the hearing for a period
  not to exceed 60 days to allow an opportunity for compliance with
  the terms of the diversion;
               (4)  subject to Subsection (d), requiring the child's
  parent to perform any act or refrain from performing any act as the
  court determines will increase the likelihood the child will
  successfully complete the diversion and comply with any other order
  of the court that is reasonable and necessary for the welfare of the
  child;
               (5)  finding the diversion successful on the basis of
  substantial compliance; or
               (6)  finding the diversion unsuccessful and:
                     (A)  transferring the child to juvenile court for
  alleged conduct indicating a need for supervision under Section
  51.08, Family Code; or
                     (B)  referring the charge to the prosecutor for
  consideration of re-filing.
         (d)  An order under Subsection (c)(4) may not have the
  substantive effect of interfering with a parent's fundamental right
  to determine how to raise the parent's child, unless the court finds
  that the interference is necessary to prevent significant
  impairment of the child's physical, mental, or emotional health.
         (e)  An order under Subsection (c)(4) is enforceable against
  the parent by contempt.
         (f)  The statute of limitations in Article 12.02 is tolled
  during the diversion period for purposes of Subsection (c)(6)(B).
         Art. 45A.512.  LOCAL YOUTH DIVERSION ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.
  (a)  The clerk of a justice or municipal court may collect from a
  child's parent an administrative fee not to exceed $50 to defray the
  costs of the diversion of the child's case under this subchapter.
         (b)  The fee under this article may not be collected unless
  specified as a term of the diversion agreement accepted by the
  child's parent.  If the fee is not paid after giving the child's
  parent an opportunity to be heard, the court shall order the parent,
  if financially able, to pay the fee to the clerk of the court.
         (c)  A court shall waive the fee if the child's parent is
  indigent or does not have sufficient resources or income to pay the
  fee.
         (d)  A court may adopt rules for the waiver of a fee for
  financial hardship under this article.
         (e)  An order under Subsection (b) is enforceable against the
  parent by contempt.
         (f)  The clerk of the court shall keep a record of the fees
  collected under this article and shall forward the funds to the
  county treasurer, municipal treasurer, or person fulfilling the
  role of a county treasurer or municipal treasurer, as appropriate.
         (g)  The fee collected under this article shall be deposited
  in a special account that can be used only to offset the cost of the
  operations of youth diversion programs under this subchapter.
         (h)  Except for the fee authorized under Subsection (a), a
  fee may not be assessed for a child diverted under this subchapter.
         (i)  The diversion of a child may not be contingent on
  payment of a fee under this article.
         Art. 45A.513.  DIVERSION RECORDS.  (a)  A justice or
  municipal court shall maintain statistics for each diversion
  strategy authorized by this subchapter.
         (b)  Other than statistical records, all records generated
  under this subchapter are confidential under Article 45A.462.
         (c)  All records of a diversion pertaining to a child under
  this subchapter shall be expunged without the requirement of a
  motion or request, on the child's 18th birthday.
         (b)  Section 2, Chapter 525 (H.B. 3186), Acts of the 88th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, which added Subchapter E,
  Chapter 45, Code of Criminal Procedure, is repealed.
         (c)  Section 4, Chapter 525 (H.B. 3186), Acts of the 88th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, which amended Article 45.041,
  Code of Criminal Procedure, is repealed.
         SECTION 9.03.  Section 53.01(b-1), Family Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b-1)  The person who is conducting the preliminary
  investigation shall, as appropriate, refer the child's case to a
  community resource coordination group, a local-level interagency
  staffing group, or other community juvenile service provider for
  services under Section 53.011, if the person determines that:
               (1)  [the child is younger than 12 years of age;
               [(2)]  there is probable cause to believe the child
  engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for
  supervision;
               (2) [(3)]  the child's case does not require referral
  to the prosecuting attorney under Subsection (d) or (f);
               (3) [(4)]  the child is eligible for deferred
  prosecution under Section 53.03; and
               (4) [(5)]  the child:
                     (A)  is younger than 12 years of age, and the
  child  and the child's family are not currently receiving services
  under Section 53.011 and would benefit from receiving the services;
  or
                     (B)  resides in a general residential operation,
  as that term is defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code.
         SECTION 9.04.  Section 82.004, Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 82.004.  FORM AND CONTENT OF APPLICATION.  (a)  A person
  filing an application under this chapter shall use the protective
  order application form created by the Office of Court
  Administration of the Texas Judicial System under Section 72.039,
  Government Code, that is available on the office's Internet
  website, and shall include in the application:
               (1)  the name [and county of residence] of each
  applicant;
               (2)  the county of residence of each applicant, unless
  the applicant requests confidentiality pursuant to Section 82.011
  or 85.007;
               (3)  the name and county of residence of each
  individual alleged to have committed family violence;
               (4) [(3)]  the relationships between the applicants
  and the individual alleged to have committed family violence;
               (5) [(4)]  a request for one or more protective orders;
  [and]
               (6) [(5)]  whether an applicant is receiving services
  from the Title IV-D agency in connection with a child support case
  and, if known, the agency case number for each open case; and
               (7)  any additional information known by the applicant
  that may assist in finding the respondent for the purposes of
  services.
         (b)  An applicant may submit an affidavit of confidentiality
  to the court pursuant to Section 72.039, Government Code, or
  Section 82.011 or 85.007, Family Code, to omit confidential
  information from the application and any subsequent protective
  order.  An affidavit of confidentiality is only for the court's use
  and shall not be transmitted to the respondent.
         (c)  A party's failure to use the standardized protective
  order form as required under Subsection (a) does not affect the
  validity or enforceability of the application or any subsequent
  protective order issued.
         SECTION 9.05.  Section 42.0426(b), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  A residential child-care facility shall implement a
  behavior intervention program approved by the department for the
  benefit of a child served by the facility who needs assistance in
  managing the child's conduct.  The program must include:
               (1)  behavior intervention instruction for staff
  members who work directly with children served by the facility,
  including crisis response training for emergency behavior
  intervention with a goal of limiting law enforcement involvement;
  and
               (2)  training for all employees regarding the risks
  associated with the use of prone restraints.
         SECTION 9.06.  Section 152.00145, Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 152.00145.  DIVERSION AND DETENTION POLICY FOR CERTAIN
  JUVENILES.  (a)  In this section, "general residential operation"
  has the meaning assigned by Section 42.002.
         (b)  A juvenile board shall establish policies that
  prioritize:
               (1)  the diversion from referral to a prosecuting
  attorney under Chapter 53, Family Code, of children who are:
                     (A)  younger than 12 years of age [from referral
  to a prosecuting attorney under Chapter 53, Family Code]; or
                     (B)  residing in a general residential operation,
  particularly children alleged to have engaged in conduct
  constituting a misdemeanor involving violence to a person; and
               (2)  the limitation of detention, to circumstances of
  last resort, of children who are:
                     (A)  younger than 12 years of age; or
                     (B)  residing in a general residential operation
  [to circumstances of last resort].
         (c)  To monitor the success of policies implemented under
  Subsection (b) for children who reside in general residential
  operations, a juvenile board shall track:
               (1)  the number of children referred to the board who
  reside in a general residential operation;
               (2)  the number of children described by Subdivision
  (1) who receive deferred prosecution or are referred to the
  juvenile probation department; and
               (3)  the general residential operation where a child
  described by Subdivision (1) resides.
         SECTION 9.07.  Section 53.01(b-1), Family Code, as amended
  by this article, applies only to conduct that occurs on or after
  September 1, 2025.  Conduct that occurs before September 1, 2025, is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the conduct occurred, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For the
  purposes of this section, conduct occurred before September 1,
  2025, if any element of the conduct occurred before that date.
  ARTICLE 10.  JUVENILE BOARDS
         SECTION 10.01.  Section 152.0191(a), Human Resources Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The juvenile board of Bee County is composed of the
  county judge, [and] the district judges in Bee County, and the judge
  of the 2nd Multicounty Court at Law.
         SECTION 10.02.  Section 152.0521(a), Human Resources Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The Comal County Juvenile Board is composed of:
               (1)  the county judge;
               (2)  the local administrative statutory county court 
  judge [of each county court at law in the county];
               (3)  an elected judicial officer of Comal County
  appointed by the local administrative statutory county court judge;
               (4)  the local administrative district judge [of the
  22nd District Court];
               (5)  two elected judicial officers of Comal County
  appointed by the local administrative district judge [(4)  the
  judge of the 207th District Court]; and
               [(5)  the judge of the 433rd District Court;]
               (6)  [the judge of the 274th District Court; and
               [(7)]  the criminal district attorney of Comal County.
         SECTION 10.03.  Section 152.1551(a), Human Resources Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The juvenile board of Live Oak County is composed of the
  county judge, [and] the district judges in Live Oak County, and the
  judge of the 2nd Multicounty Court at Law.
         SECTION 10.04.  Section 152.1621(a), Human Resources Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The juvenile board of McMullen County is composed of the
  county judge, [and] the district judges in McMullen County, and the
  judge of the 2nd Multicounty Court at Law.
  ARTICLE 11.  CIVIL CRIMINAL COURT PROCEDURES AND SECURITY
         SECTION 11.01.  Section 16.073, Civil Practice and Remedies
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 16.073.  APPLICABILITY OF LIMITATIONS PERIODS TO
  ARBITRATION.  A claim that is sought to be arbitrated is subject to
  the same limitations period that would apply to the claim if the
  claim had been brought in court. Commencing an action asserting a
  claim by filing suit in a court of competent jurisdiction will toll
  the applicable limitations period for arbitration of the same
  claim. [(a)  A party may not assert a claim in an arbitration
  proceeding if the party could not bring suit for the claim in court
  due to the expiration of the applicable limitations period.
         [(b)  A party may assert a claim in an arbitration proceeding
  after expiration of the applicable limitations period if:
               [(1)  the party brought suit for the claim in court
  before the expiration of the applicable limitations period; and
               [(2)  the parties to the claim agreed to arbitrate the
  claim or a court ordered the parties to arbitrate the claim.]
         SECTION 11.02.  Sections 30.015(a) and (b), Civil Practice
  and Remedies Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In a civil action filed in a district court, county
  court, statutory county court, or statutory probate court, each
  party or the party's attorney must provide the clerk of the court
  with written notice of the party's name, the party's [and] current
  residence or business address, and for a party who is an individual:
               (1)  the last three digits of the party's social
  security number; or
               (2)  the last three digits of the party's Texas driver's
  license.
         (b)  Unless the party is the defendant in a tax suit, the
  [The] notice required by Subsection (a) may not be required from any
  party or party's attorney if the [such] party has not appeared or
  answered in the civil action.
         SECTION 11.03.  Articles 45A.302(b), (c), and (d), Code of
  Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  In issuing the order of deferral, the judge may impose a
  special expense fee [fine] on the defendant in an amount not to
  exceed the amount of the fine that could be imposed on the defendant
  as punishment for the offense.
         (c)  The fee [fine] described by Subsection (b) may be
  collected at any time before the date on which the period of
  deferral ends.  A judge who orders the collection of the fee [fine]
  must require that the amount of the fee [fine] be credited toward
  the payment of the amount of any fine imposed by the judge as
  punishment for the offense.
         (d)  The judge may elect not to impose the special expense
  fee [fine] for good cause shown by the defendant.
         SECTION 11.04.  Article 102.017, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended by adding Subsection (e-1) to read as follows:
         (e-1)  In administering or directing funds under Subsection
  (e), a commissioners court shall consider the recommendations
  provided by a court security committee under Section 74.0922,
  Government Code, and the governing body of a municipality shall
  consider the recommendations provided by a court security committee
  under Sections 29.014(d) and 30.00007(c), Government Code.
  ARTICLE 12.  MUNICIPAL COURT PROVISIONS
         SECTION 12.01.  Section 29.014, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (e) to
  read as follows:
         (c)  The committee shall establish the policies and
  procedures necessary to provide adequate security to the municipal
  courts served by the presiding or municipal judge, as applicable,
  including by developing a court emergency management plan.
         (d)  A committee shall [may] recommend to the municipality
  the uses of resources and expenditures of money for courthouse
  security, but may not direct the assignment of those resources or
  the expenditure of those funds.
         (e)  Notwithstanding Section 551.001 or 552.003, a court
  security committee established under this section is not a
  governmental body for the purposes of Chapter 551 or 552.
         SECTION 12.02.  Section 30.00007, Government Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection
  (d) to read as follows:
         (b)  The presiding judge shall:
               (1)  maintain a central docket for cases filed within
  the territorial limits of the municipality over which the municipal
  courts of record have jurisdiction;
               (2)  provide for the distribution of cases from the
  central docket to the individual municipal judges to equalize the
  distribution of business in the courts;
               (3)  request the jurors needed for cases that are set
  for trial by jury;
               (4)  temporarily assign judges or substitute judges to
  exchange benches and to act for each other in a proceeding pending
  in a court if necessary for the expeditious disposition of business
  in the courts;
               (5)  supervise and control the operation and clerical
  functions of the administrative department of each court, including
  the court's personnel, during the proceedings of the court; and
               (6)  establish a court security committee to adopt
  security policies and procedures for the courts served by the
  presiding judge, including by developing a court emergency
  management plan, that is composed of:
                     (A)  the presiding judge, or the presiding judge's
  designee, who serves as presiding officer of the committee;
                     (B)  a representative of the law enforcement
  agency or other entity that provides the primary security for the
  court;
                     (C)  a representative of the municipality; and
                     (D)  any other person the committee determines
  necessary to assist the committee.
         (c)  A court security committee shall [may] recommend to the
  governing body the uses of resources and expenditures of money for
  courthouse security, but may not direct the assignment of those
  resources or the expenditure of those funds.
         (d)  Notwithstanding Section 551.001 or 552.003, a court
  security committee established under this section is not a
  governmental body for the purposes of Chapter 551 or 552.
         SECTION 12.03.  Section 30.01014(d), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  [In addition to satisfying the requirements of Section
  30.00006(c), a municipal judge must maintain residence in the city
  during the tenure of office and must be a resident of the city at the
  time of appointment or election.]  The judge shall devote as much
  time to the office as it requires.
         SECTION 12.04.  Chapter 30, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter AAA to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER AAA. CANYON
         Sec. 30.01911.  APPLICABILITY.  This subchapter applies to
  the city of Canyon.
         Sec. 30.01912.  JUDGE.  A municipal judge for the city of
  Canyon is not required to be a resident of the city.
         SECTION 12.05.  As soon as practicable after September 1,
  2025, a court security committee shall develop a court emergency
  management plan as required by Section 29.014 or 30.00007,
  Government Code, as amended by this article.
  ARTICLE 13.  MISCELLANEOUS COURT AND RECORD PROVISIONS
         SECTION 13.01.  Articles 43.09(a) and (k), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  When a defendant is convicted of a misdemeanor and the
  defendant's punishment is assessed at a pecuniary fine or is
  confined in a jail after conviction of a felony for which a fine is
  imposed, if the defendant is unable to pay the fine and costs
  adjudged against the defendant, the defendant may for such time as
  will satisfy the judgment be put to work in the county jail
  industries program, in the workhouse, or on the county farm, or
  public improvements and maintenance projects of the county or a
  political subdivision located in whole or in part in the county, as
  provided in Article 43.10; or if there is no such county jail
  industries program, workhouse, farm, or improvements and
  maintenance projects, the defendant shall be confined in jail for a
  sufficient length of time to discharge the full amount of fine and
  costs adjudged against the defendant; rating such confinement at
  $150 [$100] for each day and rating such labor at $150 [$100] for
  each day; provided, however, that the defendant may pay the
  pecuniary fine assessed against the defendant at any time while the
  defendant is serving at work in the county jail industries program,
  in the workhouse, or on the county farm, or on the public
  improvements and maintenance projects of the county or a political
  subdivision located in whole or in part in the county, or while the
  defendant is serving the defendant's jail sentence, and in such
  instances the defendant is entitled to the credit earned under this
  subsection during the time that the defendant has served and the
  defendant shall only be required to pay the balance of the pecuniary
  fine assessed against the defendant.  A defendant who performs
  labor under this article during a day in which the defendant is
  confined is entitled to both the credit for confinement and the
  credit for labor provided by this article.
         (k)  A defendant is considered to have discharged $150 [$100]
  of fines or costs for each eight hours of community service
  performed under Subsection (f) of this article.
         SECTION 13.02.  Article 45A.251(e), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (e)  In addition to credit under Subsection (d), in imposing
  a fine and costs in a case involving a misdemeanor punishable by
  fine only, the justice or judge shall credit the defendant for any
  period the defendant was confined in jail or prison while awaiting
  trial or serving a sentence for another offense if that confinement
  occurred after the commission of the misdemeanor.  The credit under
  this subsection shall be applied to the amount of the fine and costs
  at the rate of not less than $150 for each day of confinement.
         SECTION 13.03.  Article 45A.254(e), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (e)  A defendant is considered to have discharged not less
  than $150 [$100] of fines or costs for each eight hours of community
  service performed under this article.
         SECTION 13.04.  Article 45A.459(i), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (i)  A defendant is considered to have discharged not less
  than $150 [$100] of fines or costs for each eight hours of community
  service performed under this article.
         SECTION 13.05.  Article 45A.460(i), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (i)  A defendant is considered to have discharged not less
  than $150 [$100] of fines or costs for each eight hours of community
  service performed under this article.
         SECTION 13.06.  The heading to Section 13.0021, Election
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 13.0021.  ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION FROM
  CERTAIN FEDERAL AND STATE JUDGES, FEDERAL OFFICIALS, CLERKS,
  GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL COURT PERSONNEL, AND
  FAMILY MEMBERS.
         SECTION 13.07.  Section 13.0021(b), Election Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The registrar of the county shall omit from the
  registration list the residence address for a [If the] registration
  applicant who is:
               (1)  a federal judge, including a federal bankruptcy
  judge;
               (2)  [,] a state judge;
               (3)  [,] a marshal of the United States Marshals
  Service;
               (4)  [,] a United States attorney;
               (5)  a current or former county clerk, district clerk,
  or county and district clerk, or a current or former employee of the
  office of a county clerk, district clerk, or county and district
  clerk or municipal court personnel;
               (6)  a current or former employee whose duties relate
  to court administration, including a court clerk, court
  coordinator, court administrator, juvenile case manager, law
  clerk, or staff attorney;
               (7)  a current or former employee of the Office of Court
  Administration of the Texas Judicial System and entities
  administratively attached to the office;[, or]
               (8)  a current or former employee or commissioner of
  the State Commission on Judicial Conduct; or
               (9)  a family member of a person listed in Subdivisions
  (1)-(8) [state judge, a federal judge, including a federal
  bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals Service,
  or a United States attorney, the registrar of the county shall omit
  the applicant's residence address from the registration list].
         SECTION 13.08.  Subchapter A, Chapter 58, Family Code, is
  amended by adding Section 58.010 to read as follows:
         Sec. 58.010.  CONFIDENTIALITY OF WARRANTS OF ARREST.
  Notwithstanding Article 15.26, Code of Criminal Procedure, an
  arrest warrant issued for a child and a complaint or affidavit on
  which an arrest warrant issued for a child is based are confidential
  and may be disclosed only to the following:
               (1)  the judge, probation officer, and professional
  staff or consultants of the juvenile court;
               (2)  a juvenile justice agency, as defined by Section
  58.101;
               (3)  a criminal justice agency, as defined by Section
  411.082;
               (4)  an attorney representing the child's parent in a
  proceeding under this title;
               (5)  an attorney representing the child;
               (6)  a prosecuting attorney; or
               (7)  with permission from the juvenile court, another
  individual, agency, or institution with a legitimate interest in
  the information or court.
         SECTION 13.09.  Section 301.052(a), Family Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A party may request disclosure under Section 301.051 of
  any or all of the following:
               (1)  the correct names of the parties to the action;
               (2)  the name, address, and telephone number of any
  potential parties;
               (3)  the legal theories and, in general, the factual
  bases of the responding party's claims or defenses;
               (4)  the amount and any method of calculating economic
  damages;
               (5)  the name, address, and telephone number of any
  person having knowledge of relevant facts and a brief statement of
  each identified person's connection with the action;
               (6)  for any testifying expert:
                     (A)  the expert's name, address, and telephone
  number;
                     (B)  the subject matter on which the expert will
  testify;
                     (C)  the general substance of the expert's mental
  impressions and opinions and a brief summary of the basis for those
  impressions and opinions, or if the expert is not retained by,
  employed by, or otherwise subject to the control of the responding
  party, documents reflecting that information; and
                     (D)  if the expert is retained by, employed by, or
  otherwise subject to the control of the responding party:
                           (i)  all documents, tangible things,
  reports, models, or data compilations that have been provided to,
  reviewed by, or prepared by or for the expert in anticipation of the
  expert's testimony; and
                           (ii)  the expert's current resume and
  biography;
               (7)  any discoverable settlement agreement described
  by Rule 192.3(g), Texas Rules of Civil Procedure;
               (8)  any discoverable witness statement [settlement]
  described by Rule 192.3(h), Texas Rules of Civil Procedure;
               (9)  in an action alleging physical or mental injury
  and damages from the occurrence that is the subject of the action:
                     (A)  all medical records and bills that are
  reasonably related to the injuries or damages asserted; or
                     (B)  an authorization permitting the disclosure
  of the information described by Paragraph (A);
               (10)  in an action alleging physical or mental injury
  and damages from the occurrence that is the subject of the action,
  all medical records and bills obtained by the responding party
  through an authorization provided by the requesting party; and
               (11)  the name, address, and telephone number of any
  person who may be designated as a responsible third party.
         SECTION 13.10.  (a)  Section 81.113(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), the state bar
  shall credit an attorney licensed in this state with meeting the
  minimum continuing legal education requirements of the state bar
  for a reporting year if during the reporting year the attorney is:
               (1)  employed full-time as an attorney by:
                     (A) [(1)]  the senate;
                     (B) [(2)]  the house of representatives;
                     (C) [(3)]  a committee, division, department, or
  office of the senate or house;
                     (D) [(4)]  the Texas Legislative Council;
                     (E) [(5)]  the Legislative Budget Board;
                     (F) [(6)]  the Legislative Reference Library;
                     (G) [(7)]  the office of the state auditor; or
                     (H) [(8)]  the Sunset Advisory Commission; or
               (2)  serving as a state official appointed by the
  governor and confirmed by the senate.
         (b)  Section 81.113, Government Code, as amended by this
  article, applies only to the minimum requirements for a continuing
  legal education compliance year that ends on or after September 1,
  2025.  The minimum requirements for continuing legal education for
  a compliance year that ends before September 1, 2025, are covered by
  the law and rules in effect when the compliance year ended, and that
  law and those rules are continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 13.11.  Section 552.117, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Information is excepted from the requirements of
  Section 552.021 if it is information that relates to the home
  address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, or
  social security number of the following person or that reveals
  whether the person has family members:
               (1)  a current or former official or employee of a
  governmental body, except as otherwise provided by Section 552.024;
               (2)  a current or honorably retired peace officer as
  defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a current
  or honorably retired security officer commissioned under Section
  51.212, Education Code, regardless of whether the officer complies
  with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
               (3)  a current or former employee of the Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of
  the department or any division of the department, regardless of
  whether the current or former employee complies with Section
  552.1175;
               (4)  a peace officer as defined by Article 2A.001, Code
  of Criminal Procedure, or other law, a reserve law enforcement
  officer, a commissioned deputy game warden, or a corrections
  officer in a municipal, county, or state penal institution in this
  state who was killed in the line of duty, regardless of whether the
  deceased complied with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (5)  a commissioned security officer as defined by
  Section 1702.002, Occupations Code, regardless of whether the
  officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
               (6)  an officer or employee of a community supervision
  and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who
  performs a duty described by Section 76.004(b), regardless of
  whether the officer or employee complies with Section 552.024 or
  552.1175;
               (7)  a current or former employee of the office of the
  attorney general who is or was assigned to a division of that office
  the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under
  Chapter 231, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or
  former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (8)  a current or former employee of the Texas Juvenile
  Justice Department or of the predecessors in function of the
  department, regardless of whether the current or former employee
  complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (9)  a current or former juvenile probation or
  supervision officer certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice
  Department, or the predecessors in function of the department,
  under Title 12, Human Resources Code, regardless of whether the
  current or former officer complies with Section 552.024 or
  552.1175;
               (10)  a current or former employee of a juvenile
  justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section
  261.405, Family Code, regardless of whether the current or former
  employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (11)  a current or former member of the United States
  Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary
  service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas
  military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
               (12)  a current or former district attorney, criminal
  district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose
  jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services
  matters, regardless of whether the current or former attorney
  complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (13)  a current or former employee of a district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal
  attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child
  protective services matters, regardless of whether the current or
  former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (14)  a current or former employee of the Texas Civil
  Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or
  a division of the office, regardless of whether the current or
  former employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (15)  a current or former federal judge or state judge,
  as those terms are defined by Section 1.005, Election Code, a
  federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals
  Service, a United States attorney, or a family member of a current
  or former federal judge, including a federal bankruptcy judge, a
  marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a United States
  attorney, or a state judge;
               (16)  a current or former child protective services
  caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator
  for the Department of Family and Protective Services, regardless of
  whether the caseworker or investigator complies with Section
  552.024 or 552.1175, or a current or former employee of a department
  contractor performing child protective services caseworker, adult
  protective services caseworker, or investigator functions for the
  contractor on behalf of the department;
               (17)  an elected public officer, regardless of whether
  the officer complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (18)  a current or former United States attorney,
  assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy
  federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender and
  the spouse or child of the current or former attorney or public
  defender, regardless of whether the person complies with Section
  552.024 or 552.1175; [or]
               (19)  a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or
  emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003,
  Health and Safety Code, regardless of whether the firefighter or
  volunteer firefighter or emergency medical services personnel
  comply with Section 552.024 or 552.1175, as applicable;
               (20)  a current or former county clerk, district clerk,
  or county and district clerk, or a current or former employee of the
  office of a county clerk, district clerk, or county and district
  clerk, regardless of whether the current or former clerk or
  employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (21)  a current or former employee whose duties relate
  to court administration, including a court clerk, court
  coordinator, court administrator, juvenile case manager, law
  clerk, or staff attorney, regardless of whether the employee
  complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175;
               (22)  a current or former employee of the Office of
  Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System and entities
  administratively attached to the office, regardless of whether the
  employee complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175; or
               (23)  a current or former employee or commissioner of
  the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, regardless of whether the
  employee or commissioner complies with Section 552.024 or 552.1175.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), all [All]
  documents filed with a county clerk and all documents filed with a
  district clerk are exempt from this section.
         (b-1)  A county clerk or district clerk on request of a
  person to whom this section applies shall redact information
  described by Subsection (a) that relates to the person posted on an
  Internet website by:
               (1)  the clerk; or
               (2)  an entity with which the county contracts for the
  provision or maintenance of the Internet website.
         SECTION 13.12.  Section 552.1175, Government Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (a) and (e) and adding Subsection
  (e-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to:
               (1)  current or honorably retired peace officers as
  defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, or special
  investigators as described by Article 2A.002, Code of Criminal
  Procedure;
               (2)  current or honorably retired county jailers as
  defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code;
               (3)  current or former employees of the Texas
  Department of Criminal Justice or of the predecessor in function of
  the department or any division of the department;
               (4)  commissioned security officers as defined by
  Section 1702.002, Occupations Code;
               (5)  a current or former district attorney, criminal
  district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose
  jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services
  matters;
               (5-a)  a current or former employee of a district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal
  attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child
  protective services matters;
               (6)  officers and employees of a community supervision
  and corrections department established under Chapter 76 who perform
  a duty described by Section 76.004(b);
               (7)  criminal investigators of the United States as
  described by Article 2A.002(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (8)  current or honorably retired police officers and
  inspectors of the United States Federal Protective Service;
               (9)  current and former employees of the office of the
  attorney general who are or were assigned to a division of that
  office the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed
  under Chapter 231, Family Code;
               (10)  current or former juvenile probation and
  detention officers certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice
  Department, or the predecessors in function of the department,
  under Title 12, Human Resources Code;
               (11)  current or former employees of a juvenile justice
  program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section 261.405,
  Family Code;
               (12)  current or former employees of the Texas Juvenile
  Justice Department or the predecessors in function of the
  department;
               (13)  federal judges and state judges as defined by
  Section 1.005, Election Code;
               (14)  current or former employees of the Texas Civil
  Commitment Office or of the predecessor in function of the office or
  a division of the office;
               (15)  a current or former member of the United States
  Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, an auxiliary
  service of one of those branches of the armed forces, or the Texas
  military forces, as that term is defined by Section 437.001;
               (16)  a current or former child protective services
  caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator
  for the Department of Family and Protective Services or a current or
  former employee of a department contractor performing child
  protective services caseworker, adult protective services
  caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf
  of the department;
               (17)  an elected public officer;
               (18)  a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or
  emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003,
  Health and Safety Code; [and]
               (19)  a current or former United States attorney,
  assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy
  federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender;
               (20)  a current or former county clerk, district clerk,
  or county and district clerk, or a current or former employee of the
  office of a county clerk, district clerk, or county and district
  clerk;
               (21)  a current or former employee whose duties relate
  to court administration, including a court clerk, court
  coordinator, court administrator, juvenile case manager, law
  clerk, or staff attorney;
               (22)  a current or former employee of the Office of
  Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System and entities
  administratively attached to the office; and
               (23)  a current or former employee or commissioner of
  the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (e-1), all [All]
  documents filed with a county clerk and all documents filed with a
  district clerk are exempt from this section.
         (e-1)  A county clerk or district clerk on request of a
  person to whom this section applies shall redact information
  described by Subsection (b) that relates to the person from any
  document the clerk posts on an Internet website.
         SECTION 13.13.  Section 42.07(b), Penal Code, is amended by
  amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (1-a) to read as
  follows:
               (1)  "Court employee" means an employee whose duties
  relate to court administration, including a court clerk, court
  coordinator, court administrator, juvenile case manager, law
  clerk, or staff attorney.  The term does not include a judge.
               (1-a)  "Electronic communication" means a transfer of
  signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of
  any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio,
  electromagnetic, photoelectronic, or photo-optical system.  The
  term includes:
                     (A)  a communication initiated through the use of
  electronic mail, instant message, network call, a cellular or other
  type of telephone, a computer, a camera, text message, a social
  media platform or application, an Internet website, any other
  Internet-based communication tool, or facsimile machine; and
                     (B)  a communication made to a pager.
         SECTION 13.14.  Section 42.07(c), Penal Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (c)  An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor,
  except that the offense is:
               (1)  a Class A misdemeanor if:
                     (A) [(1)]  the actor has previously been
  convicted under this section; [or]
                     (B) [(2)]  the offense was committed under
  Subsection (a)(7) or (8) and:
                           (i) [(A)]  the offense was committed against
  a child under 18 years of age with the intent that the child:
                                 (a) [(i)]  commit suicide; or
                                 (b) [(ii)]  engage in conduct causing
  serious bodily injury to the child; or
                           (ii) [(B)]  the actor has previously
  violated a temporary restraining order or injunction issued under
  Chapter 129A, Civil Practice and Remedies Code; or 
                     (C)  the offense was committed against a person
  the actor knows is a court employee; 
               (2)  a state jail felony if the offense was committed
  against a person the actor knows is:
                     (A)  a court employee and the actor has previously
  been convicted under this section; or 
                     (B)  a judge; and 
               (3)  a felony of the third degree if the offense was
  committed against a person the actor knows is a judge and the actor
  has previously been convicted under this section.
         SECTION 13.15.  Section 21.049, Property Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 21.049.  NOTICE OF DECISION OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS.
  The judge of a court hearing a proceeding under this chapter shall
  inform the clerk of the court as to a decision by the special
  commissioners on the day the decision is filed or on the next
  working day after the day the decision is filed.  Not later than the
  next working day after the day the decision is filed, the clerk
  shall send notice of the decision by a delivery method described
  under Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure [certified or
  registered United States mail, return receipt requested], to the
  parties in the proceeding, or to their attorneys of record, at their
  addresses of record.
         SECTION 13.16.  Section 25.025(a), Tax Code, as amended by
  Chapters 76 (S.B. 617), 152 (S.B. 870), 430 (H.B. 1911), 765 (H.B.
  4504), and 937 (S.B. 1525), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2023, is reenacted and further amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to:
               (1)  a current or former peace officer as defined by
  Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure, and the spouse or
  surviving spouse of the peace officer;
               (2)  the adult child of a current peace officer as
  defined by Article 2A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (3)  a current or honorably retired county jailer as
  defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code;
               (4)  an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal
  Justice;
               (5)  a commissioned security officer as defined by
  Section 1702.002, Occupations Code;
               (6)  an individual who shows that the individual, the
  individual's child, or another person in the individual's household
  is a victim of family violence as defined by Section 71.004, Family
  Code, by providing:
                     (A)  a copy of a protective order issued under
  Chapter 85, Family Code, or a magistrate's order for emergency
  protection issued under Article 17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure;
  or
                     (B)  other independent documentary evidence
  necessary to show that the individual, the individual's child, or
  another person in the individual's household is a victim of family
  violence;
               (7)  an individual who shows that the individual, the
  individual's child, or another person in the individual's household
  is a victim of sexual assault or abuse, stalking, or trafficking of
  persons by providing:
                     (A)  a copy of a protective order issued under
  Subchapter A or B, Chapter 7B, Code of Criminal Procedure, or a
  magistrate's order for emergency protection issued under Article
  17.292, Code of Criminal Procedure; or
                     (B)  other independent documentary evidence
  necessary to show that the individual, the individual's child, or
  another person in the individual's household is a victim of sexual
  assault or abuse, stalking, or trafficking of persons;
               (8)  a participant in the address confidentiality
  program administered by the attorney general under Subchapter B,
  Chapter 58, Code of Criminal Procedure, who provides proof of
  certification under Article 58.059, Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (9)  a federal judge, a federal bankruptcy judge, a
  marshal of the United States Marshals Service, a state judge, or a
  family member of a federal judge, a federal bankruptcy judge, a
  marshal of the United States Marshals Service, or a state judge;
               (10)  a current or former district attorney, criminal
  district attorney, or county or municipal attorney whose
  jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child protective services
  matters;
               (11)  a current or former employee of a district
  attorney, criminal district attorney, or county or municipal
  attorney whose jurisdiction includes any criminal law or child
  protective services matters;
               (12)  an officer or employee of a community supervision
  and corrections department established under Chapter 76,
  Government Code, who performs a duty described by Section 76.004(b)
  of that code;
               (13)  a criminal investigator of the United States as
  described by Article 2A.002(a), Code of Criminal Procedure;
               (14)  a current or honorably retired police officer or
  inspector of the United States Federal Protective Service;
               (15)  a current or former United States attorney,
  assistant United States attorney, federal public defender, deputy
  federal public defender, or assistant federal public defender and
  the spouse and child of the attorney or public defender;
               (16)  a current or former employee of the office of the
  attorney general who is or was assigned to a division of that office
  the duties of which involve law enforcement or are performed under
  Chapter 231, Family Code;
               (17)  a medical examiner or person who performs
  forensic analysis or testing who is employed by this state or one or
  more political subdivisions of this state;
               (18)  a current or former member of the United States
  armed forces who has served in an area that the president of the
  United States by executive order designates for purposes of 26
  U.S.C. Section 112 as an area in which armed forces of the United
  States are or have engaged in combat;
               (19)  a current or former employee of the Texas
  Juvenile Justice Department or of the predecessors in function of
  the department;
               (20)  a current or former juvenile probation or
  supervision officer certified by the Texas Juvenile Justice
  Department, or the predecessors in function of the department,
  under Title 12, Human Resources Code;
               (21)  a current or former employee of a juvenile
  justice program or facility, as those terms are defined by Section
  261.405, Family Code;
               (22)  a current or former employee of the Texas Civil
  Commitment Office or the predecessor in function of the office or a
  division of the office;
               (23)  a current or former employee of a federal judge or
  state judge;
               (24)  a current or former child protective services
  caseworker, adult protective services caseworker, or investigator
  for the Department of Family and Protective Services or a current or
  former employee of a department contractor performing child
  protective services caseworker, adult protective services
  caseworker, or investigator functions for the contractor on behalf
  of the department;
               (25)  an elected public officer;
               (26)  a firefighter or volunteer firefighter or
  emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003,
  Health and Safety Code;
               (27)  a customs and border protection officer or border
  patrol agent of United States Customs and Border Protection or the
  spouse, surviving spouse, or adult child of a customs and border
  protection officer or border patrol agent;
               (28)  [(27)  a current or former attorney for the
  Department of Family and Protective Services
               [(27)]  a current or former employee or contract staff
  member of a university health care provider at a corrections
  facility operated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or
  the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
               (29)  [and
               [(28)]  a current or former attorney for the Department
  of Family and Protective Services;
               (30)  a current or former county clerk, district clerk,
  or county and district clerk, or a current or former employee of the
  office of a county clerk, district clerk, or county and district
  clerk;
               (31)  a current or former employee whose duties relate
  to court administration, including a court clerk, court
  coordinator, court administrator, juvenile case manager, law
  clerk, or staff attorney;
               (32)  a current or former employee of the Office of
  Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System and entities
  administratively attached to the office; and
               (33)  a current or former employee or commissioner of
  the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
         SECTION 13.17.  Section 34.03(a), Tax Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The clerk of the court shall:
               (1)  if the amount of excess proceeds is more than $25,
  before the 31st day after the date the excess proceeds are received
  by the clerk, send by a delivery method described by Rule 21a, Texas
  Rules of Civil Procedure [certified mail, return receipt
  requested], a written notice to the former owner of the property, at
  the former owner's last known address according to the records of
  the court or any other source reasonably available to the court,
  that:
                     (A)  states the amount of the excess proceeds;
                     (B)  informs the former owner of that owner's
  rights to claim the excess proceeds under Section 34.04; and
                     (C)  includes a copy or the complete text of this
  section and Section 34.04;
               (2)  regardless of the amount, keep the excess proceeds
  paid into court as provided by Section 34.02(d) for a period of two
  years after the date of the sale unless otherwise ordered by the
  court; and
               (3)  regardless of the amount, send to the attorney
  general notice of the deposit and amount of excess proceeds if the
  attorney general or a state agency represented by the attorney
  general is named as an in rem defendant in the underlying suit for
  seizure of the property or foreclosure of a tax lien on the
  property.
         SECTION 13.18.  Section 521.121, Transportation Code, is
  amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsection
  (c-1) to read as follows:
         (a)  The driver's license must include:
               (1)  a distinguishing number assigned by the department
  to the license holder;
               (2)  a photograph of the entire face of the holder;
               (3)  the full name and date of birth of the holder;
               (4)  a brief description of the holder; and
               (5)  the license holder's residence address or, for a
  license holder using the procedure under Subsection (c):
                     (A)  [,] the street address of the courthouse in
  which the license holder or license holder's spouse or parent:
                           (i)  serves as a federal judge, including a
  federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals
  Service, a United States attorney, or a state judge; or
                           (ii)  performs duties related to court
  administration, including a court clerk, court coordinator, court
  administrator, juvenile case manager, law clerk, or staff attorney;
  or
                     (B)  the office address of the office in which the
  license holder or the license holder's spouse or parent performs
  duties as an employee of the office of a county clerk, district
  clerk, or county and district clerk, or of the Office of Court
  Administration of the Texas Judicial System and entities
  administratively attached to the office, or as an employee or
  commissioner of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
         (c)  The department shall establish a procedure, on a license
  holder's qualification for or appointment to office as a federal or
  state judge as defined by Section 1.005, Election Code, or as a
  county clerk, district clerk, or county and district clerk, or as a
  federal bankruptcy judge, a marshal of the United States Marshals
  Service, [or] a United States attorney, or for a license holder
  whose duties relate to court administration, including a court
  clerk, court coordinator, court administrator, juvenile case
  manager, law clerk, or staff attorney, or as an employee of the
  office of a county clerk, district clerk, or county and district
  clerk, or of the Office of Court Administration of the Texas
  Judicial System and entities administratively attached to the
  office, or as an employee or commissioner of the State Commission on
  Judicial Conduct, to omit the residence address of the judge, [or]
  official, employee, or commissioner and any family member of the
  judge, [or] official, employee, or commissioner on the license
  holder's license and to print [include], in lieu of that address,
  the street address of the courthouse or office building in which the
  license holder or license holder's spouse or parent serves as a
  federal or state judge, [or] official, employee, or commissioner.
         (c-1)  The residence address of a license holder whose
  residence address is omitted using the procedure under Subsection
  (c) is confidential and is available only for the official use of
  the department or a law enforcement agency.
         SECTION 13.19.  Section 521.243(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Unless the petition is dismissed under Section
  521.2421(f), the clerk of the court shall send electronically or by
  a delivery method described by Rule 21a, Texas Rules of Civil
  Procedure, [by certified mail] to the attorney representing the
  state a copy of the petition and notice of the hearing if the
  petitioner's license was suspended, revoked, or canceled following
  a conviction for:
               (1)  an offense under Section 19.05 or Sections
  49.04-49.08, Penal Code; or
               (2)  an offense to which Section 521.342 applies.
         SECTION 13.20.  Article 43.09(a), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, as amended by this article, applies to a defendant who is
  confined or performs labor to discharge fines or costs on or after
  September 1, 2025, regardless of whether the offense for which the
  fines or costs were imposed occurred before, on, or after September
  1, 2025.
         SECTION 13.21.  The changes in law made by this article to
  Articles 43.09(k), 45A.254(e), 45A.459(i), and 45A.460(i), Code of
  Criminal Procedure, apply to a defendant who performs community
  service to discharge fines or costs on or after September 1, 2025,
  regardless of whether the offense for which the fines or costs were
  imposed occurred before, on, or after September 1, 2025.
         SECTION 13.22.  Article 45A.251(e), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, as amended by this article, applies to a defendant who is
  sentenced for an offense on or after September 1, 2025, regardless
  of whether the offense was committed before, on, or after that date.
         SECTION 13.23.  Section 301.052(a), Family Code, as amended
  by this article, applies to an action that is pending in a trial
  court on September 1, 2025, or that is filed on or after that date.
         SECTION 13.24.  Section 42.07, Penal Code, as amended by
  this article, applies only to an offense committed on or after
  September 1, 2025.  An offense committed before that date is
  governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
  and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For
  purposes of this section, an offense was committed before September
  1, 2025, if any element of the offense occurred before that date.
         SECTION 13.25.  Not later than November 1, 2026, the
  Department of Public Safety shall:
               (1)  review the department's processes for
  implementation of and compliance with Section 521.121,
  Transportation Code, as amended by this Act; and
               (2)  submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,
  the speaker of the house of representatives, each member of the
  legislature, and the Texas Judicial Council a written report
  containing the results of the review, a description of the methods
  used to prepare the review, and any recommendations for legislative
  or other action.
  ARTICLE 14.  MANDATORY EXPUNCTION FOR CERTAIN PERSONS; RETENTION OF
  CERTAIN RECORDS
         SECTION 14.01.  Article 55A.203, Code of Criminal Procedure,
  is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding
  Subsections (b-1) and (d) to read as follows:
         (a)  A trial court that is a district court or a district
  court in the county in which the trial court is located shall [may,
  with the consent of the attorney representing the state,] enter an
  expunction order for a person entitled to expunction under Article
  55A.053(a)(2)(A) not later than the 30th day after the date the
  court, as applicable:
               (1)  dismisses the case following the person's
  successful completion of a veterans treatment court program created
  under Chapter 124, Government Code, or former law; or
               (2)  receives the information regarding the dismissal.
         (b)  A trial court that is a district court or a district
  court in the county in which the trial court is located shall [may,
  with the consent of the attorney representing the state,] enter an
  expunction order for a person entitled to expunction under Article
  55A.053(a)(2)(B) not later than the 30th day after the date the
  court, as applicable:
               (1)  dismisses the case following the person's
  successful completion of a mental health court program created
  under Chapter 125, Government Code, or former law; or
               (2)  receives the information regarding the dismissal.
         (b-1)  A trial court that is a district court or a district
  court in the county in which the trial court is located shall enter
  an expunction order for a person entitled to expunction under
  Article 55A.053(a)(2)(C) not later than the 30th day after the date
  the court, as applicable: 
               (1)  dismisses the case following the person's
  successful completion of a pretrial intervention program
  authorized under Section 76.011, Government Code, other than a
  program described by Subsection (a)(1) or (b)(1) of this section;
  or
               (2)  receives the information regarding the dismissal.
         (d)  The person for whom a court is required to enter an
  expunction order under Subsection (a), (b), or (b-1), as
  applicable, shall provide to the attorney representing the state
  all of the information required in a petition for expunction under
  Article 55A.253 and any affidavit required under Article 55A.053(b)
  or (c). The attorney representing the state shall prepare an
  expunction order under this article for the court's signature.
         SECTION 14.02.  Subchapter E, Chapter 55A, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended by adding Article 55A.2035 to read as
  follows:
         Art. 55A.2035.  ATTORNEY REPRESENTING STATE CERTIFIES
  RECORDS AND FILES NOT NEEDED.  (a) A trial court that is a district
  court or a district court in the county in which the trial court is
  located shall enter an expunction order for a person entitled to
  expunction under Article 55A.052(a)(4) not later than the 30th day
  after the date the court receives the certification described by
  that subdivision.
         (b)  The attorney representing the state who certified under
  Article 55A.052(a)(4) that the applicable arrest records and files
  are not needed for use in any criminal investigation or prosecution
  shall prepare an expunction order under this article for the
  court's signature.  The person for whom a court is required to enter
  an expunction order under Subsection (a) shall provide to the
  attorney representing the state all of the information required in
  a petition for expunction under Article 55A.253.
         (c)  Notwithstanding any other law, a court that enters an
  expunction order under this article may not charge any fee or assess
  any cost for the expunction.
         SECTION 14.03.  Subchapter H, Chapter 55A, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended by adding Article 55A.358 to read as follows:
         Art. 55A.358.  RETENTION OF RECORDS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND
  OPERATION OF PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS.  Notwithstanding
  Articles 55A.353, 55A.354, 55A.355, and 55A.356, a community
  supervision and corrections department established under Chapter
  76, Government Code, or an office of an attorney representing the
  state, in possession of records and files subject to an expunction
  order based on an entitlement under Article 55A.053(a)(2)(A), (B),
  or (C) may retain and use those records and files only for the
  purpose of developing and operating pretrial intervention programs
  in a judicial district served by the department or office.
  ARTICLE 15.  CONFLICT; EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 15.01.  To the extent of any conflict, this Act
  prevails over another Act of the 89th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2025, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in
  enacted codes.
         SECTION 15.02.  Except as otherwise provided by a provision
  of this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
  ______________________________
  ______________________________
     President of the Senate
  Speaker of the House     
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2878 passed the Senate on
  May 12, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0;
  May 28, 2025, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 29, 2025, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 31, 2025, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 31,
  Nays 0.
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2878 passed the House, with
  amendments, on May 27, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 132,
  Nays 2, two present not voting; May 29, 2025, House granted request
  of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  June 1, 2025, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 136, Nays 2, one present not voting.
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
  Approved:
  ______________________________ 
             Date
  ______________________________ 
            Governor