Committee advances judicial‑reform substitute that raises judge pay and expands misconduct rules; civil‑rights groups warn of chilling effect

Chair Huffman laid out the committee substitute to Senate Bill 293, which the chair described as a package of judicial‑accountability and compensation reforms.

Chair Huffman said the State Commission on Judicial Conduct exists “to protect the public, promote public confidence in the integrity, independence, competence, and impartiality of the judiciary, and encourage judges to maintain high standards of conduct.” He summarized the substitute’s components: expanding the definition of judicial misconduct to include failure to meet statutory deadlines and “persistent or willful violations of bail proceedings under article 17 15 of code of criminal procedure,” enhancing complaint processes (including penalties for false complaints), increasing transparency through quarterly reports about judges' duties, removing the commission’s ability to issue private sanctions, modifying eligibility rules for retired judges serving temporarily and setting a seven‑year…