Bill > HB5079

This bill modifies the qualifications for masters, magistrates, referees, and associate judges across multiple sections of the Texas Government Code, primarily focusing on legal experience requirements. The bill introduces a new provision requiring most judicial appointees to have been licensed to practice law in Texas for at least five years (previously four years), with some exceptions for specific judicial positions where two years of legal practice will suffice. The bill removes explicit language about legal practice requirements in many sections, instead establishing a more general and streamlined set of qualifications. Additionally, the bill simplifies the language describing residency and citizenship requirements for these judicial roles. The changes will apply only to new appointments made on or after September 1, 2025, ensuring that current judicial appointees are not retroactively affected by the new requirements. This legislation appears aimed at ensuring a more experienced pool of judicial appointees by slightly increasing the minimum legal practice experience requirement while maintaining flexibility for specific judicial contexts.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5079