Governor Abbott Vetoes SB 1444 (85R)
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 14, of the Texas Constitution, I, Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas, do hereby disapprove of and veto Senate Bill No. 1444 as passed by the Eighty-Fifth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, because of the following objections:
Associate judges are employees of the court who do not exercise the judicial power of the State on their own. They act only pursuant to the delegated authority of an elected judge. Senate Bill 1444 makes certain judgments entered by associate judges unappealable to the elected judge overseeing the case. The bill would expand the power of unelected judges while contracting the legal options of parties who appear before them. Other aspects of Senate Bill 1444 had merit. The Legislature should reconsider them next session.
Since the Eighty-Fifth Texas Legislature, Regular Session, by its adjournment has prevented the return of this bill, I am filing these objections in the office of the Secretary of State and giving notice thereof by this public proclamation according to the aforementioned constitutional provision.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have signed my name officially and caused the Seal of the State to be affixed hereto at Austin, this 15th day of June, 2017.
GREG ABBOTT
Governor of Texas