Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission's recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.
SJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment to restructure the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and clarify the process for disciplining judges and justices in Texas. The amendment changes the Commission's membership, reducing citizen appointees from seven to five, requiring all members to reside in Texas, and prohibiting members from holding a judgeship in the same court type as another Commission member. It also updates disciplinary procedures to include immediate suspension for judges facing felony indictments or misconduct-related misdemeanor charges, while expanding the grounds for sanctions to include violations of judicial conduct rules or actions discrediting the judiciary. These changes aim to streamline the process for addressing judicial misconduct while maintaining constitutional requirements.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Governor
Introduced Dec 2, 2024
Last action Jun 2, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed
→
Enrolled
·
5 edits
·
Jun 1, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends the Texas Constitution to restructure the State Commission on Judicial Conduct by changing its membership composition, adding a new review tribunal to oversee removal recommendations, and expanding the commission's disciplinary authority. The changes also include temporary provisions to manage the transition of existing commissioners and establish a timeline for the new system to take effect.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of judicial oversight by creating a new review tribunal and modifying how judges and justices can be sanctioned for misconduct.
ELIGIBILITY
Changed the State Commission on Judicial Conduct membership from 13 members to a structure with 6 judges, 7 state bar members, and 5 citizens, altering appointment requirements and qualifications.
ENFORCEMENT
Created a new seven-member review tribunal composed of Court of Appeals justices to evaluate removal or retirement recommendations from the commission.
Expanded the commission's disciplinary powers to include formal hearings and the ability to recommend suspension pending final disposition of charges.
TIMELINE
Added temporary provisions establishing a phased implementation beginning January 1, 2026, with existing commissioners' terms expiring July 1, 2026, and the new system fully operational by January 1, 2031.
REQUIREMENT
Modified age requirements for citizen commissioners from 30 to 35 years old and adjusted term lengths for various commission classes.
Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House May 26, 2025
How they voted
26–4
Passed
Total votes 30
Apr 14, 2025
D
Democratic10
60% Yea
R
Republican20
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
68
Key actions
20
Committee
12
Amendments
13
Jun 2, 2025
Introduced
Filed with the Secretary of State
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 31, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 30, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 30, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Adopted as amended
lower
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 26, 2025
Introduced
Amendment to amendment tabled
lower
May 26, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
lower
May 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 24, 2025
Introduced
Placed on Constitutional Amendments Calendar
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jeff Leach
RRepublican
P
Joan Huffman
RRepublican
Co
Judith Zaffirini
DDemocratic
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