A group of Texans traveled to Austin to demand that a state commission tasked with investigating alleged judicial misconduct do more to police judges, curb judicial conflicts of interest, and promote transparency in both courtrooms and the commission’s own proceedings.
The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) must hold a public meeting every other year wherein any member of the public may air grievances. Approximately 50 people testified before the 13-member SCJC, airing complaints about specific judges and allegations that parents had been treated unfairly in child custody cases.
Witnesses also described judges who took campaign contributions from lawyers representing clients, a judge’s spouse listed as the opposing party’s financial expert, charges of more than $20,000 for court transcripts, and waiting months for a judge to issue a ruling following a hearing.
One speaker told the commission that many of the system’s problems stemmed from judges “violating their discretion,” and suggested that state lawmakers add deadlines and standardize fees.
One solution proposed is to require judges to issue a ruling within 10 business days of a hearing, but would not eliminate judicial discretion, since it would allow a judge to delay an order if he or she provides a reason for the extra time needed every 10 business days.
Other solutions included automatically referring a case to the SCJC when an appellate court or the Texas Supreme Court finds that a lower court judge abused their discretion.
Previously, Sen. Angela Paxton authored reform bills such as Senate Bill (SB) 718 in 2023 to address false allegations in child custody cases, and SB 2794 in 2025 that creates escalating criminal penalties for parents who knowingly interfere with court-ordered custody or visitation.
Jennifer Lundy of Texans for Judicial Accountability told the SCJC that Texas needs to implement transparency measures. “Texas has many fabulous, honest judges.” Lundy said. “First, the Access Act, advancing court cost efficiency with secure systems, puts audio and video in our courtrooms.”
According to Lundy, state Sen. Bob Hall (R-Rockwall) has agreed to carry the bill, which she said would protect not only litigants from “a corrupt judge,” but also protect “honest judges from false accusations.”
Lundy called for expanding SCJC reforms approved last year to allow complaints to be filed online and to publish transcripts of SCJC proceedings and findings of guilt within 30 days. She also said the state should require litigants to receive judicial financial disclosures when an attorney in a case has donated to the presiding judge’s election campaign.
Some witnesses complained that the SCJC has not been able to remove judges even when complaints are substantiated.
Some public testimony targeted the SCJC itself, and with one person complaining that the commission had prohibited recording the public meeting, which. Section 551.023 of the Texas Open Meetings Act allows since it is not a hearing.