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.