SB387

SB387 raises the minimum official bond for covered county judges handling guardianship or probate matters to $500,000. It applies to judges of statutory county courts under Government Code 25.0006 and county judges under 26.001 when they preside over those proceedings. The earlier minimum was $100,000 in counties with 125,000 or fewer residents and $250,000 in larger counties; the new minimum no longer depends on population. An official bond backs faithful performance of duties. It is not bail for criminal defendants, and $500,000 is the bond amount—not an annual premium or salary. Final law; Prior statutory-county-court provision; Prior county-judge provision.

The bill also removes a broad exemption for statutory county-court judges who did not handle guardianships. That brings otherwise covered judges back under the section: those handling probate or guardianship fall under the $500,000 minimum, while the general $1,000–$10,000 range remains for those outside that category. The commissioners court sets and approves the bond within the applicable requirements.

Two statutory-county-court exclusions remain: county criminal-court judges, and statutory probate-court judges who meet the separate bond/insurance/self-insurance provision. Statutory probate courts already had their own $500,000 bond rule. Existing county options to use insurance instead of the guardianship/probate bond are not repealed. The bill therefore should not be read as requiring every Texas judge to buy a new $500,000 bond. Separate statutory-probate-court rule; Retained insurance option and other provisions; County-judge insurance option.

The bill was signed June 20, 2025 and took effect September 1, 2025. It retains the requirement to execute the bond before beginning the duties of office and does not supply a separate mid-term replacement deadline. Official history; Enacted timing.