Bill Text: TX HJR11 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposing a constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for appellate judicial offices.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-04-04 - Left pending in committee [HJR11 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HJR11-Introduced.html

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85R15647 CAE-D
By: Smithee H.J.R. No. 11

A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment changing the eligibility
requirements for appellate judicial offices.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2(b), Article V, Texas Constitution, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) No person shall be eligible to serve in the office of
Chief Justice or Justice of the Supreme Court unless the person is
licensed to practice law in the State of Texas [this state] and is,
at the time of election, a citizen of the United States and of the
State of Texas [this state], and has attained the age of thirty-five
years, and has been a practicing lawyer licensed in the State of
Texas for at least ten consecutive years, or has been a practicing
lawyer licensed in the State of Texas and judge of a state court or
county court established by the Legislature by statute for a
combined total of [court of record together] at least ten
consecutive years, during which time the person's license to
practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a
probated suspension.
SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to
the Texas Constitution:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 85th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2017, changing the eligibility requirements for a
justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal
appeals, and a justice of a court of appeals.
(b) The amendment to Section 2(b), Article V, of this
constitution takes effect January 1, 2018, and applies only to a
chief justice or other justice of the supreme court, presiding
judge or other judge of the court of criminal appeals, or chief
justice or other justice of a court of appeals who is elected for a
term that begins on or after that date, or who is appointed on or
after that date.
(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2032.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2017.
The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment changing the
eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, judge
of the court of criminal appeals, and justice of a court of
appeals."