COMMISSION IN AID OF COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

(a) In addition to the authority granted by Section 22.106 of this code, the court of criminal appeals may appoint a commission for the aid of the court in disposing of the business before the court. The commission in aid of the court shall discharge the duties that are assigned it by the court of criminal appeals. (b) The commission shall be composed of two attorneys having the qualifications fixed by the constitution and laws of this state for a judge of the court of criminal appeals. Commissioners serve two-year terms that expire September 1 of each odd-numbered year. (c) The opinions of the commissioners in aid of the court shall be submitted to the court of criminal appeals for approval. When approved by a majority of the court and handed down as an opinion of the court, an opinion of a commissioner in aid of the court has the same weight and legal effect as an opinion originally prepared and handed down by the court of criminal appeals. (d) Each member of the commission is entitled to receive for his services the salary that is provided by law. (e) The court of criminal appeals by appointment may fill a vacancy on the commission in aid of the court that is created by the death, resignation, or removal of a member of the commission. A person appointed to fill a vacancy continues in office for the unexpired portion of the term for which the commissioner vacating the office was appointed. (f) The court of criminal appeals shall appoint two stenographers for the commission.