judges disclose gifts from parties in their own cases

The text as introduced · 397 words

By: Hayes
H.B. No. 5411

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the financial disclosure requirements for judges

receiving contributions from parties involved in cases they preside

over.

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Transparency and

Reporting for Unbiased Standards in Trials" (TRUST Act).

SECTION 2. Title 5, Chapter 572, subchapter A, Government

Code, is amended adding as follows to Section 572.002:

(13) "Judge" refers to any judicial officer presiding over

cases in the state of Texas.

(14) "Contribution" refers to any monetary donation, gift,

or in-kind contribution.

(15) "Party to a suit" includes any plaintiff, petitioner,

defendant, prosecutor, or their legal representatives.

(16) "Texas Ethics Commission" refers to the commission

established under Chapter 571, Government Code, responsible for

enforcing this Act.

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 572.062 to read as follows:

Sec. 572.062. ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN

CONTRIBUTIONS TO JUDGES.

(a) A judge shall disclose any contribution received from a

party to a suit they are presiding over within five (5) business

days of receipt.

(b) The disclosure must be include:

(1) The judge's name and position.

(2) The jurisdiction or geographical territory of the

judge.

(3) The cause number of the case.

(4) The name of the contributor.

(5) The contributor's relation to the case.

(6) The amount of the contribution, including in-kind

contributions.

(c) A copy of this disclosure shall be presented to all

parties to a suit subject to this section

(1) within five (5) business days of receipt or;

(2) prior to final hearing of an applicable suit, whichever

is sooner.

SECTION 4. Subchapter C, Chapter 572, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 572.0621 to read as follows:

Sec. 572.0621. POST-CASE DISCLOSURE PERIOD

Pursuant to Sec. 572.062, a judge must continue to disclose any

contributions from parties involved in a case for a period of Sixty

(60) days after the final order of the suit.

SECTION 5. If any provision of this Act or its application

to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does

not affect other provisions or applications of this Act that can be

given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to

this end, the provisions of this Act are severable.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.