SRC-JJJ C.S.S.B. 491 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 491
76R11121 CAS-DBy: Luna
Education
4/6/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law permits multi-year contracts between a school district
and an attorney representing a school district. C.S.S.B. 491 would provide
that a legal service contract purporting to bind a school district for a
fixed term may be voided by the district, and would except certain legal
contracts. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 491 specifies obligations regarding contractual terms
for legal services provided to school districts. 

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 44B, Education Code, by adding Section 44.042,
as follows: 

Sec. 44.042.  CONTRACTS FOR LEGAL SERVICES.  Provides that a contract for
legal services that purports to bind a school district for a fixed term of
longer than one year may be avoided by the district. Provides that this
section does not apply to certain contracts for the provision of legal
services. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.  

Amends Section 44.042, Education Code, to provide that a contract for legal
services may be voided by a school district. Provides that this section
does not apply to certain contracts.