Government Code § 71.040

Sec. 71.040. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. (a) The council by rule shall develop a centers of excellence program to identify, support, and recognize justices and judges who excel in serving their communities and in representing the judiciary. In awarding a center of excellence recognition to a justice or judge, the council must consider: (1) a justice's or judge's governance, access, fairness, case flow management, and court operations; and (2) the compliance of the justice's or judge's court with statutory or procedural requirements for judicial reporting, court security, fee collection, indigent defense, and guardianship fraud and abuse prevention. (b) A justice or judge of an appellate court, district court, statutory county court, statutory probate court, county court, justice court, or municipal court is eligible for recognition as a center of excellence and may apply for recognition on a form and in the manner prescribed by the council. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 842 (S.B. 1574), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2025.