Focus Report, Volume 86, Number 3, August 2019 Page: 6
This periodical is part of the collection entitled: Texas State Publications and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Page 6 House Research Organization
one judge to benefit more than one city. A judge serving
in more than one city would gain valuable experience, and
individuals would be more willing to run for an elected
position and invest the time in training if they could work
in more than one court.
Proposition 1 would be in line with the numerous
exceptions to the Constitution's provision prohibiting dual
office holding, including one for justices of the peace.
Local voters and city governments could best determine
whether they should hire or elect a municipal judge who is
appointed or elected in another city and whether the judge
could give adequate attention to a court. Judges serving
in more than one city would continue to be accountable
to each city, the voters, and others. Any requirements
imposed by a city on its municipal judges, such as a
residency requirement, would continue to apply.
Allowing elected municipal court judges to serve more
than one city would not create conflicts of interest because
each municipality is its own jurisdiction with no overlap
in cases. Conflicts do not exist under current law when
judges are appointed to sit on more than one municipal
court bench and would not exist if elected municipal
judges served on more than one court.
Critics say
Proposition would create another exception to the
long-standing constitutional prohibition against certain
elected officials holding more than one paid public office.
Amending this provision could set a precedent for further
exceptions to the single-office rule. Issues could be raised
about whether judges working in more than one court
were able to give adequate focus to each court.
Notes
Proposition l's enabling legislation, HB 1717 by
White, will take effect January 1, 2020, if voters approve
the proposed amendment. The bill would allow a person
to hold the office of municipal judge for more than one
municipality at the same time, regardless of whether the
person was elected or appointed to each office.Page 6
House Research Organization
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas. Legislature. House of Representatives. Research Organization. Focus Report, Volume 86, Number 3, August 2019, periodical, August 27, 2019; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1364417/m1/6/?rotate=270: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.