Monitoring the Session

HB 2529

county judges’ state supplement grows with years of service

Became law, effective Sep 1, 2025

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7

Initial review · graded Oct 22, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county judges.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

Still 18%, now pegged to a district judge’s pay at the same seniority.

The bill changes how the state figures the yearly salary supplement it pays to county judges who do enough judicial work. The supplement stays at 18 percent, but it is now figured on a district judge's salary at the county judge's own years of service, not on the district judge base salary. County judges who meet the judicial-work test get a larger state supplement as their years of service grow, starting with pay periods on or after September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 2723 (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2529 · 2025-02-06

SOLD BY

Rep. Jay DeanRHouse 7

+ 2 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county judges.

WHAT IT DOES

Still 18%, now pegged to a district judge’s pay at the same seniority.

The bill changes how the state figures the yearly salary supplement it pays to county judges who do enough judicial work. The supplement stays at 18 percent, but it is now figured on a district judge's salary at the county judge's own years of service, not on the district judge base salary. County judges who meet the judicial-work test get a larger state supplement as their years of service grow, starting with pay periods on or after September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($885,000)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version E · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 20, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2529, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($1,770,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($885,000)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to s/c on County & Regional Government by Speaker
  4. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  5. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  6. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  7. Left pending in subcommittee
  8. Recalled from subcommittee
  9. Considered in formal meeting
  10. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  11. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  12. Committee report distributed
  13. Committee report sent to Calendars
  14. Considered in Calendars
  15. Placed on General State Calendar
  16. Read 2nd time
  17. Passed to engrossment
  18. Record vote RV#2240
  19. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  20. Read 3rd time
  21. Passed
  22. Record vote RV#2305
  23. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  24. Reported engrossed
  25. Received from the House
  26. Read first time
  27. Referred to Finance
  28. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  29. Considered in public hearing
  30. Testimony taken in committee
  31. Vote taken in committee
  32. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  33. Committee report printed and distributed
  34. Co-sponsor authorized
  35. Placed on intent calendar
  36. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  37. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  38. Vote recorded in Journal
  39. Three day rule suspended
  40. Record vote
  41. Read 3rd time
  42. Passed
  43. Record vote
  44. Senate passage reported
  45. Reported enrolled
  46. Signed in the House
  47. Signed in the Senate
  48. Sent to the Governor
  49. Signed by the Governor
  50. Effective on 9/1/25
FILED UNDER

GOVERNMENT GROWTH UNDER A CONSERVATIVE BANNER

THE TEXT

…“annual [ state base ] salary paid to a district judge with comparable”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill raises state-paid pay for qualifying county judges by tying their supplement to a district judge's salary at comparable years of service instead of the base salary.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 109 yea · 32 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 13, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 22, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Jay Dean

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$47KTexas Sands PAC$42K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$74,300.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$46,524.22

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

Texas Sands PAC$42,166.67

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$74,300.00

Cash
$65,000.00
Paid by others
$9,300.00
Total
$74,300.00
polling $9,300.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 19, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101007728, 101025857, 101035931, 101070129.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$46,524.22

Cash
$566.02
Paid by others
$45,958.20
Total
$46,524.22
canvassing $42,750.00printing $3,208.20

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 17, 2026 to Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101036566.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$42,166.67

Cash
$37,500.00
Paid by others
$4,666.67
Total
$42,166.67
polling $4,666.67

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989410, 101025857, 101036566, 101070129.

Votes5

Senate May 22, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Huffman moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 2529 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 22, 2025

Yea
31
Nay
0
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator Huffman moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 2529 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 31 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 22, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 13, 2025

Yea
109
Nay
32
Present, not voting
2
Absent
3
Excused
4
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2305

HB 2529 was passed by (Record 2305): 109 Yeas, 32 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 109 (published)
  • Nay: 32 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 12, 2025

Yea
100
Nay
36
Present, not voting
1
Absent
8
Excused
5
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2240

HB 2529 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2240): 100 Yeas, 36 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 100 (published)
  • Nay: 36 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 8 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses10
For
10
Against
0
On
0
Names

For

  • Bexar County Commissioners Court1 registration
  • Conference of Urban Counties1 registration
  • County Judges & Comm Assoc. of Texas1 registration
  • County Judges & Commissioners Assn, Comal County1 registration
  • County Judges and Commissioners Association1 registration
  • County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas1 registration
  • Harris County Commissioners Court1 registration
  • Lamb County1 registration
  • Self1 registration
  • Self; Waller County1 registration
Sources

10 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal
Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($885,000)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version E · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 20, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2529, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($1,770,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($885,000)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 2723

by Rep. Dean, same lead author · Did not pass · same text

Introduced text

Last action, May 9, 2023: Committee report sent to Calendars

Relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county judges.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas House · Filed Feb 6, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Ryan GuillenRHouse 31 Penny Morales ShawDHouse 148
Sponsors
Joan HuffmanRSenate 17
Cosponsors
César BlancoDSenate 29

House committee · Intergovernmental Affairs · Committee vote 8 aye, 2 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Finance · Committee vote 13 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee

Subjects

County Government--Employees/Officers

Courts--Judges

Salaries & Expenses

Text

The text as introduced · 215 words

89R11036 BCH-D

By: Dean
H.B. No. 2529

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the annual state salary supplement for certain county

judges.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 26.006(a), Government Code, is amended

to read as follows:

(a) A county judge is entitled to an annual salary

supplement from the state in an amount equal to 18 percent of the

annual [ state base ] salary paid to a district judge with comparable

years of service as the county judge as set by the General

Appropriations Act in accordance with Section 659.012 [ 659.012(a) ]

if at least 18 percent of the:

(1) functions that the judge performs are judicial

functions; or

(2) total hours that the judge works are in the

performance of judicial functions.

SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a salary payment for a pay period beginning on or after the

effective date of this Act. A salary payment for a pay period

beginning before the effective date of this Act is governed by the

law in effect on the date the pay period began, and that law is

continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.