Court authorizes Judge Squires' travel but conditions reimbursement on Texas CLE verification

The court considered a request to authorize out-of-state travel and reimbursement for Judge Bill Squires to attend a National Judicial College faculty-development workshop in Reno, Nev., Sept. 28–Oct. 1. The judge provided a written statement explaining the training's professional value and limiting his reimbursement request "to airfare and 1 meal per day." (Judge Bill Squires, letter read into record.)

Commissioners discussed conflicting messages from the National Judicial College: a staff member's email suggested CLE credit might be available; a letter from the NJC president and the State Bar's MCLE office indicated the course typically does not qualify for Texas MCLE because it focuses on teaching and instructional skills rather than substantive legal topics. County counsel reported the State Bar's MCLE department had reviewed the course and said it would not receive Texas CLE credits absent a pre-approval application from NJC. Given the inconsistent correspondence, the court authorized the judge to attend but adopted a motion that reimbursement be contingent on verification and certification of Texas CLE credits or MCLE credit by the State Bar.