Relating to judicial authority and duties.
HB 4388 strengthens judicial authority by prohibiting judges from abandoning or relinquishing their duties and clarifying that all judges must follow constitutional and ethical rules regardless of their court's jurisdiction. It also prohibits county commissioners courts from delegating judicial duties to others unless specifically allowed by law. The bill directly affects Texas judges and county commissioners courts by reinforcing the boundaries of judicial authority. These changes take effect September 1, 2025.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 1, 2025
Last action May 10, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
11
Key actions
5
Committee
6
May 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Janis Holt
RRepublican
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