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Bill

HB 5130

Relating to the additional compensation certain counties pay to judges and justices for extrajudicial services.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Jeff Leach

HB 5130 modifies rules for Texas county supplemental payments to judges for outside professional work, affecting judicial compensation and ethics standards.

Left pending in committee
#courts--judges(i0140) #salaries&expenses(i0745)
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Bill Summary · HB 5130

Legislative bill overview

HB 5130 addresses supplemental compensation that certain Texas counties provide to judges and justices for work performed outside their regular judicial duties (extrajudicial services). The bill modifies how and under what conditions counties may pay these additional stipends to judicial officers.

Why is this important

Judicial compensation directly affects the ability to attract and retain qualified judges, particularly in smaller or less wealthy counties. The rules governing extrajudicial pay (such as speaking fees, teaching, or other professional services) impact both judicial ethics and county budgets, while also influencing whether judicial positions remain competitive with private legal practice.

Potential points of contention

  • Judicial ethics concerns: Extrajudicial compensation could create or appear to create conflicts of interest, bias, or impropriety if not carefully regulated
  • County budget variability: Wealthier counties could offer substantially higher supplemental pay, potentially creating geographic disparities in judicial compensation and talent distribution
  • Definitional clarity: "Extrajudicial services" may be ambiguous regarding what qualifies, creating disputes about eligible compensation categories

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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