Bill > SB387

This bill modifies bond requirements for certain judges in Texas, specifically for statutory county court judges and county judges who preside over guardianship or probate proceedings. The key change is increasing the bond amount from a population-based sliding scale (previously $100,000 or $250,000 depending on county size) to a flat $500,000 for judges handling guardianship or probate cases. The bond must be payable to the county treasurer and is conditioned on the judge faithfully performing their official duties and complying with requirements in the Estates Code. The bill also removes a previous exemption for statutory county court judges who do not preside over guardianship proceedings, potentially expanding the bond requirement's scope. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply to judges' bonds for guardianship and probate proceedings, aiming to provide greater financial protection and accountability for judges handling sensitive legal matters involving estates and guardianships.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB387