Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code - CIV PRAC & REM § 151.006. Powers of Special Judge

(a) A special judge shall conduct the trial in the same manner as a court trying an issue without a jury.

(b) While serving as a special judge, the special judge has the powers of the referring judge except that the special judge may not hold a person in contempt of court unless the person is a witness before the special judge.