BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2987
By: Seidlits
04-26-95
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

Many feel that court rules having a large impact on the legal
industry should not be set by the court, but the Legislature
exclusively.

PURPOSE

HB 2987 prohibits the Supreme Court from adopting certain rules
dealing with attorneys.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle G, Title 2, Government Code, by adding
           Chapter 84 RULES RELATING TO ATTORNEY'S FEES as follows:

           Sec. 84.001 CERTAIN RULES PROHIBITED states that the
           supreme court hall not adopt rules interfering with an
           attorney's ability to contract to provide legal services
           or discouraging competition.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

Pursuant to public notice posted on April 14, 1995, the Committee
on State Affairs convened in a public hearing on April 19, 1995 to
consider HB 2987.  The Chair laid out HB 2987 and explained the
bill.  The Chair left HB 2987 pending.  In a public hearing on
April 24, 1995, the Chair laid out HB 2987.  HB 2987 was reported
favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass
and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent
Calendars which prevailed by a record vote of 13 ayes, 0 nays, 0
pnv, 2 absent.