(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.