All Roll Calls
Yes: 294 • No: 0
TexasSB 212789th Legislature Regular SessionSenate
Relating to the assignment of certain retired and former justices and judges.
Sponsored By: Trey Martinez Fischer, Richard Peña Raymond, Judith Zaffirini (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Courts--JudgesSUPREME COURT
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
More former judges qualify for assignments
Former and retired Texas judges need 72 months of active judicial service for covered assignments, down from 96 months. Service must be in district, statutory probate, statutory county, or appeals courts. Appeals court assignments also require at least 48 months of appeals court service. The Texas Supreme Court chief justice can assign qualified former appellate judges even when no vacancy exists. The retired-judge definition also includes Texas County and District Retirement System retirees with 72 months in statutory probate or county courts. The law takes effect on the 91st day after the legislative session ends. Its new rules cover assignments made on or after that date; earlier assignments remain under prior law.
Regional judges face narrower practice limits
Former and retired judges seeking regional-list assignments must agree to a two-year limit on appearing and pleading as attorneys. The limit covers courts in the administrative judicial region where they are assigned, rather than all Texas courts. This narrows the restriction and applies to assignments made on or after the law’s effective date.
Appeals assignments limit judges’ legal practice
Former or retired judges seeking covered appeals court assignments must give the chief justice a sworn promise limiting their legal practice. For two years, they agree not to appear and plead as attorneys in any Texas appeals court. The promise also covers district, statutory probate, and statutory county courts in counties within the assigned appeals court’s area. This applies to assignments made on or after the law’s effective date.
Assigned judges must avoid client cases
Judges seeking covered assignments must certify willingness not to hear cases involving any current or former client throughout the assignment. They must not have been removed from office and must swear they have never received a public judicial reprimand or censure. Those who left after notice of a full misconduct or disability investigation must certify it produced no reprimand or censure. Each year, they must show they completed the required judicial education during the prior state fiscal year. Appeals assignments use active appellate judges’ education requirements; regional lists use those for district, statutory probate, and statutory county judges. Regional-list judges also need substantial experience in their specialty. These requirements apply to assignments made on or after the law’s effective date.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Trey Martinez Fischer
House
Richard Peña Raymond
House
Judith Zaffirini
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 137 • No: 0
House vote • 5/22/2025
Record vote
Yes: 141 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Jurisprudence
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective in 90 days -- 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/27/2025HouseSigned in the House
5/26/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/26/2025SenateReported enrolled
5/23/2025SenateHouse passage reported
5/23/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/23/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3353)
5/23/2025HousePassed
5/23/2025HouseRead 3rd time
5/23/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/22/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3278)
5/22/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
5/22/2025HouseRead 2nd time
5/22/2025HousePlaced on General State Calendar
5/21/2025HouseConsidered in Calendars
5/19/2025HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
5/19/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
5/19/2025HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
5/16/2025HouseReported favorably w/o amendment(s)
5/14/2025HouseConsidered in public hearing
5/14/2025HouseReferred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
4/28/2025HouseRead first time
4/28/2025HouseReceived from the Senate
4/25/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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