Senate committee reports omnibus courts bill with judicial administrative changes, judge privacy protections

Senate Bill 16, an omnibus bill addressing court administration and judicial matters, was presented to the State Affairs Committee and reported to the full Senate.

Sen. Hughes, the bill’s author, said the omnibus package tracks much of the regular‑session omnibus courts bill but removes stand‑alone measures already enacted and edits provisions that prompted the governor’s veto earlier in the year. The measure includes jurisdictional adjustments, the creation of a court in Hidalgo County, revisions to the rule‑making authority of the Texas Supreme Court, changes to filing fees, and an amendment to expand protections of judges’ personal information to include federal judges in Texas.

Hughes noted adjustments on administrative pay for presiding administrative judges within the state’s judicial regions, describing a small correction to address pay disparities after judicial pay raises. The committee also heard invited testimony from the Office of Court Administration and public testimony from court reporters and related stakeholders supporting a study group to look at court reporting issues.

The Texas Hospital Association and other organizations did not testify on this item; the committee reported the bill favorably (8 ayes, 0 nays). The author said the bill removes provisions already enacted in separate legislation and tightens language to address prior veto concerns.

The measure was left pending for full Senate consideration following the committee’s favorable report.