By Patterson                                           S.B. No. 326
       74R3124 NSC-D
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to the use of interest on client funds held by attorneys
    1-3  for the legal representation of a criminal defendant.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 81, Government  Code, is
    1-6  amended by adding Section 81.035 to read as follows:
    1-7        Sec. 81.035.  RESTRICTION ON USE OF INTEREST ON CLIENT FUNDS.
    1-8  (a)  A grant made from the interest on client funds held by
    1-9  attorneys under the Texas Equal Access to Justice Program may not
   1-10  be used to provide representation by counsel to a defendant in a
   1-11  criminal matter or in a habeas corpus appeal arising from a
   1-12  criminal matter.
   1-13        (b)  Notwithstanding Section 81.024, the supreme court may
   1-14  not promulgate rules in conflict with this section.
   1-15        SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
   1-16  to a grant made under the Texas  Equal Access to Justice Program on
   1-17  or after the effective date of this Act.  A grant made before the
   1-18  effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the
   1-19  grant was made, and the former law is continued in effect for that
   1-20  purpose.
   1-21        SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1995.
   1-22        SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-23  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   1-24  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    2-1  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    2-2  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.