SRC-AAA S.B. 768 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 768 By: Brown Economic Development 4-29-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Supreme Court of Texas is authorized to promulgate certain rules governing the practice and procedure in civil actions, as well as rules relating to the licensing of attorneys in this state. These rules have a large impact on the legal industry. S.B. 768 prohibits the Supreme Court of Texas from adopting rules interfering with an attorney's ability to contract in a free market and rules discouraging competition among attorneys. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 768 prohibits the Supreme Court of Texas from adopting rules interfering with an attorney's ability to contract in a free market and rules discouraging competition among attorneys. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 2G, Government Code, by adding Chapter 84, as follows: CHAPTER 84. RULES RELATING TO ATTORNEY'S FEES Sec. 84.001. CERTAIN RULES PROHIBITED. Prohibits the supreme court from adopting rules interfering with an attorney's ability to contract in a free market and rules discouraging competition among attorneys to provide legal services at reasonable fees. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.