1. (a) The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint:

   1. (1) two judges to each of the First, Third, Fourth, Eighth, and Eleventh Divisions of the business court; and
   2. (2) one judge to each of the Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Divisions of the business court.
2. (a-1) A judge appointed to the business court may begin state employment and receive compensation for service as a judge for not more than 30 days before the beginning of the judge's term to allow time for training, organization of staff and chambers, and study of business court precedent, procedure, and pending cases.
3. (b) A business court judge shall serve for a term of two years, beginning on September 1 of every even-numbered year.
4. (c) A business court judge may be reappointed.
5. (d) Not later than September 15 of each even-numbered year, the business court judges by majority vote shall select a judge of the court to serve as administrative presiding judge and a judge serving a different division of the court to serve as administrative presiding judge pro tempore for a term of two years. If a vacancy occurs in the position of administrative presiding judge, the administrative presiding judge pro tempore shall serve as administrative presiding judge and the business court judges by majority vote shall select a judge of the court to serve as successor administrative presiding judge pro tempore for the remainder of the unexpired term as soon as practicable.

6. (d-1) The administrative presiding judge pro tempore shall act as administrative presiding judge in any matter in which the administrative presiding judge:

   1. (1) has delegated the judge's official duties to the administrative presiding judge pro tempore; or
   2. (2) is unable to perform the judge's official duties.
7. (e) A business court judge shall take the constitutional oath of office required of appointed officers of this state and file the oath with the secretary of state.
8. (f) To promote the orderly and efficient administration of justice, the business court judges may exchange benches and sit and act for each other in any matter pending before the court.

Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 380 (H.B. 19), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 912 (H.B. 40), Sec. 49, eff. September 1, 2025.