VISITING ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

(a) This section does not limit the authority of the presiding judge of the statutory probate courts to assign a judge under Section 25.0022 to assist with processing cases in a reasonable time.

(b) The local administrative probate judge or, for a county without a local administrative probate judge, a statutory probate court judge of the county in which an associate judge appointed under this subchapter serves may assign a visiting associate judge to perform the duties of an associate judge appointed under this subchapter only if:

(1) the associate judge is temporarily unable to perform the associate judge's official duties because of absence resulting from:

(A) illness;

(B) injury;

(C) disability;

(D) personal emergency;

(E) military service;

(F) vacation; or

(G) attendance at a continuing legal education program;

(2) the associate judge requests assistance due to a heavy workload or a pandemic-related emergency; or

(3) a vacancy occurs in the position of associate judge.

(c) A visiting associate judge assigned under this section may be assigned to serve during the period an associate judge is unable to perform the associate judge's duties, during the period the associate judge needs assistance in managing the judge's workload, or until another associate judge is appointed to fill a vacancy in the position of associate judge.

(d) A person is not eligible for assignment under this section unless the person has served as an associate judge under this subchapter for at least two years before the date of assignment.

(e) A visiting associate judge assigned under this section is subject to each provision of this subchapter that applies to an associate judge appointed under this subchapter. An assigned visiting associate judge is entitled to compensation equal to the salary of the associate judge, prorated for time served. A visiting associate judge is not considered a county employee for any purpose.