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89(R) SB 387 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
S.B. No. 387
AN ACT
relating to bond requirements for certain judges.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 25.0006(a-1) and (a-4), Government
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a-1) Before beginning the duties of the office, the judge
of a statutory county court must execute a bond that:
(1) is payable to the treasurer of the county;
(2) is in the amount set by the commissioners court of:
(A) subject to Paragraph (B), not less than
$1,000 nor more than $10,000; or
(B) for a judge presiding in the court over
guardianship proceedings, as defined by Section 1002.015, Estates
Code, or over probate proceedings, as defined by Section 22.029,
Estates Code, not less than
$500,000
[
:
[
(i)
$100,000 for a court in a county with a
population of 125,000 or less; or
[
(ii)
$250,000 for a court in a county with
a population of more than 125,000
]; and
(3) is conditioned that the judge will:
(A) faithfully perform all duties of office; and
(B) for a judge presiding in the court over
guardianship or probate proceedings, perform the duties required by
the Estates Code.
(a-4) This section does not apply to:
(1) [
a judge of a statutory county court who does not
preside over guardianship proceedings, as defined by Section
1002.015, Estates Code;
[
(2)
] a judge of a statutory probate court who
executes a bond, obtains insurance, or self-insures pursuant to
Section 25.00231; or
(2)
[
(3)
] a judge who presides over a county criminal
court.
SECTION 2. Section 26.001(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) Before beginning the duties of the office, the county
judge must execute a bond that:
(1) is payable to the treasurer of the county;
(2) is in the amount set by the commissioners court of:
(A) subject to Paragraph (B), not less than
$1,000 nor more than $10,000; or
(B) for a county judge presiding in the county
court over guardianship proceedings, as defined by Section
1002.015, Estates Code, or over probate proceedings, as defined by
Section 22.029, Estates Code, not less than
$500,000
[
:
[
(i)
$100,000 for a court in a county with a
population of 125,000 or less; or
[
(ii)
$250,000 for a court in a county with
a population of more than 125,000
]; and
(3) is conditioned that the judge will:
(A) faithfully perform all duties of office; and
(B) for a county judge presiding in the county
court over guardianship or probate proceedings, perform the duties
required by the Estates Code.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
______________________________
______________________________
President of the Senate
Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 387 passed the Senate on
April 16, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 387 passed the House on
May 23, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 116, Nays 12, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor