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Relating to a complaint filed with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB 4344, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($403,960) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
HB 4344 would implement a statutory timeframe for the disposition of complaints made to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The bill would require each member of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to be notified and briefed on each complaint they receive. Within 90 days of receiving a briefing on a complaint, the Commission would have to determine any action to be taken. Commission staff would be permitted to receive a time extension on their briefing of the members if there are extenuating circumstances.
HB 4344 would also require the Commission to prepare a report for the 88th Legislature recommending changes to improve the Commission's efficiency in handling complaints.
Texas Action supports HB 4344 because it would advance individual liberty and limited government. A person who files a complaint against a judge with the Commission ought to have their complaint handled in a timely manner. HB 4344 would require the Commission to issue decisions on complaints within a reasonable time period, preventing genuine complaints against judges from going unanswered for several years.
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