What provides authority for the Commission on Judicial Conduct to operate?

• A. The Governor's Executive Orders.
• B. The United States Constitution and the Texas Penal Code.
• C. The Texas Administrative Code and the State Budget.
• D. The Texas Constitution Article V, Section 1-a and Chapter 33 of the Texas Government Code.

Answer: (D)

Authority comes from the Texas Constitution and state law. The Commission on Judicial Conduct derives its existence and powers from Article V, Section 1-a of the Texas Constitution, which establishes the commission and its role in overseeing judges. Alongside that, Chapter 33 of the Texas Government Code provides the statutes that govern how investigations, disciplinary actions, and enforcement are carried out. Together, these constitutional provision and statute give the commission its legal authority and framework for operation.

Other sources don’t provide that authority: executive orders are gubernatorial directives and don’t create or authorize this body; the United States Constitution and the Texas Penal Code cover different areas (federal/state criminal law) and don’t establish or govern the commission; while the Texas Administrative Code and the State Budget relate to rules and funding, they do not establish the commission’s core authority.