Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 54.751. Special Judge

(a) If a full-time compensated judge of the criminal law magistrate court is absent or is from any cause disabled or disqualified from presiding, a special judge may be appointed in the manner provided by this subchapter for the appointment of a judge of the criminal law magistrate court.

(b) A special judge shall take the oath of office that is required by law for the regular judge and has all the power and jurisdiction of the court and of the regular judge for whom he is sitting.  A special judge may sign orders, judgments, decrees, or other process of any kind as “Judge Presiding” when acting for the regular judge.

(c) A special judge is entitled to receive for the services actually performed the same amount of compensation that the regular judge is entitled to receive for the services.  The compensation shall be paid out of county funds.  None of the amount paid to a special judge for sitting for the regular judge may be deducted or paid out of the salary of the regular judge.