SRC-JRN S.B. 1488 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1488 By: Lindsay Intergovernmental Relations 3-25-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the commissioners court of a county is authorized certain duties and powers. Because some commissioners courts in counties with populations of more than one million need certain information regarding legal matters and are not able to obtain this information, some believe the courts may have a lack of available legal personnel to handle growing case loads. This bill allows the commissioners court of a county to employ and compensate counsel as necessary to provide legal advice to the court on the affairs of the county; and provides that the county or district attorney, as applicable, is the attorney of record for the county. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1488 allows the commissioners court of a county to employ and compensate counsel as necessary to provide legal advice to the court on the affairs of the county; and provides that the county or district attorney, as applicable, is the attorney of record for the county. 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 Chapter 81B, Local Government Code, by adding Section 81.0235, as follows: Sec. 81.0235. EMPLOYMENT OF COUNSEL. Requires the commissioners court of a county to employ and compensate counsel as necessary to provide legal advice to the court on the affairs of the county, notwithstanding Section 81.023(c). Provides that the county or district attorney, as applicable, is the attorney of record for the county. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.